Basia Bulat

Basia Bulat brings sunshine and sprinkles to U.S. music scene

By: John Larsen

Posted: 3/27/08

Two words can describe the music of Canadian musician Basia Bulat: sunshine and sprinkles.

From start to finish, her debut album, Oh, My Darling, is a pop music dream, full of both joy and sadness, which leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy afterwards.

But don't disregard Bulat because of this. Her record isn't just a cheerful pop record; it's a strong showing of musical and vocal talent.

Unfortunately, it's taken quite some time for her talent to hit U.S. shores. Bulat's debut came out in the U.K. in early 2007 and found its way into Canadian record stores later that year. Yet it's taken almost a whole year for Bulat to find a home in the States, which she has finally found in Rough Trade Records.

The first single off of Oh, My Darling, entitled Snakes and Ladders is a perfect example of Bulat's music. Full of haunting violins, a strong drum line, and the dreamy plink of a piano, the song is the perfect vehicle for Bulat's sweet croon, which wafts over the music, giving the song a huge emotional impact.

"We danced around them all," she sings, "like we didn't even notice. Oh, I love the way we've come undone."

Another song that perfectly encompasses Bulat's talent, the title track, Oh, My Darling, is almost entirely opposite of Snakes and Ladders.

Instead of a layered, orchestral sound, the song features only a guitar and harmonica, as well as Bulat's beautiful voice and lyrics. The song, like nearly all the songs on the album, is a haunting love song, about an adoration and love that Bulat will "carry in my pockets till the end."

As a whole, Bulat's album is one of the few releases of 2008 that has consistently held my attention. I return to it again and again, and it never gets old. Rather, it gets better on each listen, and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Fans of Feist, Sia, Sara Bareilles, and other piano pop will especially enjoy Bulat's album.