Self released in April 2015, “When Shadows Return to Sea” will see a more official release by Continental Record Services in October 2015. And rightfully so.

For a self-released debut, Martha Bean’s ‘When Shadows Return To The Sea’ is remarkably assured. Slick, intriguing and highly listenable, it makes you wonder what the record companies were doing, letting this one pass them by. For once the inevitable comparisons with Norah Jones and Fiona Apple won’t stretch the imagination.

Apple’s influence is most clearly heard on single ‘Who Changed The Clocks?’ and album opener ‘When The Fear Comes’, two soaring chamber-pop songs that remain just the right side of quirky.

Bean’s vocals are natural enough to sound effortless too, infusing even the simpler tracks with depth and emotion.

Closer ‘I Still Remember’ is as moving and engaging as anything on the album, despite its quirk-free aesthetic.

In a marketplace flooded with singer-songwriters, it would be a shame for Martha Bean to remain unnoticed. Judging by this debut, she has the talent, the voice and the imagination to stand out from the crowd. All it takes is one hit song. Maybe 2015 will be her year.