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Jem

Finally Woken

Singer-songwriters working with electronic beats are nothing new, but few integrate the two disparate genres as well as the Welsh singer Jem. More or less discovered by Madonna and signed to Dave Matthews’ ATO label, thankfully Jem has little in common with each superstar, instead recalling a tougher-sounding version of folktronica icon Beth Orton. The stylistic mix isn’t exactly eye-opening–Jem’s full-length debut resembles a host of other trip-hop acts–but her moody songs provide all the pleasures of Dido with none of the mainstream pop guilt.

Take away: Cool breeze

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Edited by Cara DiPasquale ([email protected]) and Kris Karnopp ([email protected])