Ella Raphael’s Mad Sometimes is a set of country coloured songs. Full of observations on rocky relationships. The blues. The music though is never dark. Let The Light In, for example, has a lullaby-like lilt. The pieces pull references from all over the place. Harpsichord keys and West Coast harmonies. All In and Late flashback to 1950s rock ’n’ roll. With warm reverb and echo. Tremolo twanged songs for the spotlight at Radio City or The Grand Old Opry. Somber brings in a full band. Accompanying Ella’s strumming with a jazzy swing. Tangled Love takes its cues from Brazilian Tropicalia. Its melody played gently on Tiki lounge vibes. Bali Ha’i backing vocals,  balalaika-like trebly trilling and Hawaiian lap steel completing the South Seas serenade. See You Through soars as it sings of friendship and loyalty, combining simple picking, orchestral strings and more pedal steel. Part Beth Orton, part Karen Dalton, part Muscle Shoals-esque gospel-influenced musical epiphany.

Ella Raphael’s Mad Sometimes is out now on Fire Records.