It feels like we’ve been waiting years for Emma Davis’ first album. In fact, we have been waiting years. Ever since the charming songstress with a British-flecked accent took to the stages of Sydney, her presence has hinted at a sense of accomplishment that was lacking only in hard evidence.

Now we have evidence. Davis’ eponymous debut effort is sort of like the scratchy side of Velcro, subtle hooks all over the place and before you know it, you’re stuck. First single ‘Machines’ got a bit of Triple J airplay with its 3 minutes of swooning Casio-pop goodness, and the album has been slowly latching on to people ever since.

Personal favourite ‘Feel A Thing’ has the kind of tinkering momentum that’d be right at home on a Holly Throsby track, while being subtly undermined by some rather callous lyricism. It’s Davis’ way with a rhyming couplet that keeps the record ticking over, and while the songs are cute, they always pull back when they get within a whiff of being “twee”. She manages to make very specific situations sound universal and has a maturity in her songwriting that is at odds with the sweetness of her voice.

If this record was a flower bed, it’d be nice and tidy with a few strategically placed bees.

Review Score: 8/10