Similar in concept to much of Zee Avi’s music, Camera Obscura‘s “French Navy” features a female lead singer and feels like it should be a very old song when in fact it’s brand new. However, where Ms. Avi has a jazzy acoustic/island-girl vibe from the 40′s, “French Navy” is more like a 60′s song. To be honest, I’m having quite a hard time describing it – it’s very hard to define. It’s upbeat, has a great hook, and some nice violin work.

Some might call it a girlie song, and it does have mass female appeal, but I think guys like it too. Strangely enough, I heard it playing in Home Depot lately! That was definitely a surprise.

The rest of Camera Obscura’s new album, My Maudlin Career, is pretty good, but this is the standout single for me.

I discovered Zee Avi the way I discover many other artists, through Amazon’s free download library. I heard Bitter Heart and was instantly hooked. She has a very pleasant voice and her style is very similar to classic jazz singers. Adding to that mood is the swanky instrumental backing, with guitar, upright bass, piano, horns, and even ukelele. (Zee is self-taught on the guitar and ukelele.)

She reminds me a lot of a female Jack Johnson, which is not a coincidence considering he signed her to his Brushfire Records label. It’s the perfect place for her. One way she differs from JJ is that her lyrics are much darker, even though the music is upbeat. In that way, she reminds me of Death Cab For Cutie.

Besides her music, what I found most interesting was the fact that she’s from Malaysia. You’d never know it, listening to her music. Just a funny little tidbit.

I know I haven’t really done much of a review of the album, but go listen to the Amazon preview. I’m sure you’ll like it!