CAITLIN Rose was hailed as a major talent in waiting when she released her Dead Flowers EP, featuring memorable covers of Rolling Stones and Patsy Cline classics, to widespread acclaim last year.

Fast forward 12 months and she’s now delivered an equally breathtaking debut LP in the form of Own Side Now, which really looks set to establish the Nashville native as one of the most precocious new talents of the moment (and that’s a huge compliment!).

Although steeped in country traditions, Caitlin’s style is so laidback and beautifully delivered that her reach should be universal. She has a keen ear for a melody, a gift for emotive song-writing and a classic quality that looks set to put her up there with the greats she has previously sought to emulate on song.

Own Side Now offers the listener a sumptuous journey, steeped in memorable numbers, from the breezy acoustic country opening of Learnin’ To Ride to the harmonica soaked finale Comin’ Up.

The opening song, in particular, establishes the musical restraint that is a mark of most of her songs, allowing her sweet vocals to take centre stage and, in turn, her confessional and honest lyrics to truly be heard. The mandolin embellishments are also a nice touch.

Own Side, meanwhile, begins in stripped down, acoustic fashion before building to a soulful offering that includes lush backing vocals, piano and pedal steel. It’s also a heart-breaker, complete with yearning lyrics such as: “I’m on my own side now, Who’s gonna take me home? Cause I don’t wanna go it alone, Who’s gonna want me when, I’m just somewhere you’ve been.”

Former single, For The Rabbits, opens with a crisp organ arrangement before gradually layering in the strings to lend it a cinematic vibe… vocally, too, it’s beautifully and tenderly delivered. It’s tailor-made for radio-friendly status and was an obvious choice for a single.

Album highlight Shanghai Cigarettes then follows, featuring some rousing guitar work, handclap beats and a really well judged vocal trade-off between Caitlin and Rayland Baxter. It’s an instant classic.

New York City, meanwhile, is another… offering a honky tonk vibe with some delicious observations.

We could continue raving, but it’s best to go out and discover Rose’s talent for yourself. She’s going to be huge.

Read our interview with Caitlin Rose

Download picks: For The Rabbits, Shanghai Cigarettes, Own Side, New York City, Comin’ Up, Sinful Wishing Well

Track listing:

1. Learnin’ To Ride
2. Own Side
3. For The Rabbits
4. Shanghai Cigarettes
5. New York City
6. Spare Me
7. Things Change
8. That’s Alright
9. Sinful Wishing Well
10. Comin’ Up

• Delicious
• Digg
• Reddit
• Facebook
• Stumbleupon