Delicious Appetizer

English singer/songwriter Anna Calvi has time and again proved herself to be a musical sensation since her 2011 self-titled album was released. And after her 2013 full-length release, she forced the rock music world to make room for her. Now she’s back in 2014, first with music videos for 2011’s “Suzanne And I” and 2013’s “Piece By Piece” in addition to touring worldwide, and now with an EP titled Strange Weather that contains covers from FKA Twigs, Connan Mockasin, Suicide, Keren Ann and David Bowie.

Calvi’s version of FKA Twigs’ “Papi Pacify” loses most of the song’s original pop elements and replaces it with her guitar and heavy breathing. The same sentiments can be echoed for the follow-up track, Connan Mockasin’s “I’m The Man That Will Find You.” Instead of Mockasin’s high-pitched electronica voice and instruments, it is all replaced with Calvi’s guitar and powerful voice.

The Talking Heads’ David Byrne is heard on two tracks, “I’m The Man That Will Find You” and also on Keren Ann’s “Strange Weather,” which was his choice to cover and comes accompanied with a music video. The song begins with Calvi elegantly shredding, followed by a light piano (just like in the original song) and a duet with Byrne.

Her interpretation of David Bowie’s “Lady Grinning Soul” shows off how truly moving Calvi’s vocals are, even at a whisper. Her high and low pitches, accompanied only by a piano, leave you with chills.

Strange Weather is a great appetizer to hold Calvi fans over until she releases her next album. While these are all covers, she has managed to perform each track as if it were her own. The deepness and passion Calvi portrays are not at all lost in other people’s songs.