Laya Fisher
There are only four songs on Laya Fisher’s self-titled, debut EP. But those songs got a workout on my CD player this summer. It is an infectious mix of technopop, intricately woven with funky dance beats, slippery synthesizers and hot horns.
And Laya can sing! Her voice is alternatively seductive, playful, joyous and witheringly acerbic. Depending on whom you’ve listened to lately, Laya may remind you of Tori Amos, Ani DeFranco, Pink, Gwen Stefani or Shirley Manson. But she’s very much her own voice and she uses it to great effect, especially when she doubles herself in octaves (ala Squeeze) in the song Scarlet.
But the thing that truly sets her CD apart from your typical dance party is Laya’s songwriting. Whether dripping acid on the intensely frightening Stepmother Song or wryly observant in the hilariously sexy Dick & Jane, Laya’s got a real gift for having the right words at hand.
And to make matters even more interesting, all this was recorded on a home studio! I can’t wait to hear what she does next!
You can find more about Laya (as well as order her CD) at her website: http://www.layafisher.com/.
