Heart of My Own Rough Trade ****

The splintering of established music genres complicates things. The best advice is to trust your ears. Take Toronto's Basia Bulat. A dishevelled, autoharp-wielding blonde with a voice described as "demerara" sounds like firm roots territory, and that would be true of songs such as the passionate title track. But what about those infectious pop string-driven hooks on the cluttered but irresistible Gold Rush, the punchy brass on If Only You, and the churchy soul sounding If It Rains? This is Bulat's second album, written during a year on the road following the generous reception to her debut, Oh My Darling. The songs are about loneliness, love, separation, life's ups and downs, and are mostly very good, but it is her voice that really sets them apart. The "demerara" description captures the rustic, slightly smokey tone, but, like a young Natalie Merchant, it's a voice imbued with stirring passion and emotional range. Just trust your ears. See basiabulat.com JOE BREEN

Download tracks: Heart of My Own, Gold Rush, If It Rains