IT’S Feist mark II!

Breathy vocals? Check. Faux-naif lyrics? Check? But while The Horse EP is undoubtedly lovely, unlike the Canadian songstress, Alessi’s Ark doesn’t have the rich thread of potential chaos running under the surface.

Fans of Laura Marling will be thrilled, but the more cynical among us might find Alessi’s wide-eyed view of the world somewhat galling.

She should sell loads, of course, as her chocolate-box songs are unlikely to offend either the MySpace generation or their parents.

Perhaps it’s the credit crunch, but suddenly it feels wrong to bury one’s head in musical sand. There’s thousands of as-yet undiscovered musicians out there. I want something more.

The Horse EP is released on December 8