I was first introduced–sorry, introduuced to Indiana-born singer Natalie Walker back in 2006.

Formerly a member of the trip-hop troupe Daughter Darling, Walker debuted amongst a surge of fellow indie-pop songstresses that dominated the blogosphere (not to mention the soundtracks of nearly every trendy television show of the time, including Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty and The OC)–songstresses like Imogen Heap, Rachael Yamagata and Bat For Lashes.

Her 2006 solo debut, Urban Angel was a stunning showcase of atmospheric electronica and wisps of airy, romantic vocals, resulting in several successful soundtrack inclusions as “Circles” (Grey’s Anatomy) and the gorgeously lush Thievery Corporation remix of “Quicksand” (Sophia Coppola‘s Marie Antoinette). Quite simply, I was smitten.

Two years later, Walker released her follow-up effort With You, an equally mesmerizing release that came packaged with the same ambient sounds and hushed vocals as her debut, but bolstered with some slightly bigger, pop-focused productions. Walker once again received the soundtrack treatment thereafter with the album’s soaring title track “With You” appearing on several shows, including The City and 90210.

Now, she returns for her third solo outing: Spark, due to be released on June 7 on Dorado Records.

“Uptight” is the lead single from Spark; an intimate offering that finds the singer’s gorgeous voice floating between a lonesome guitar strum, tripping electronica and the same nagging sense of wanderlust that colors all of Walker’s discography. “I don’t want to fight tonight / Come here, warm me up inside / It’s wrong, let me make it right,” Walker sings, her delicate vocals enveloped by warm waves of strings and slow-burning electronica embers.

On April 26, Walker will release the second single from Spark–”Cool Kids,” as well as two new mixes through Beatport: The Linus Loves mix and the Remix Artist Collective (RAC) mix. In addition, the singer is currently offering a free download of the gorgeous upcoming album track “Mars” on her official Facebook page, which is an absolute treat.

Natalie Walker is one of those rare artists that manages to strike the perfect balance between consistency and a gradual evolution in sound. And judging by what we’ve already heard, Walker’s latest may just be her finest moment yet.

Spark will be released on June 7. (iTunes)

There’s also the tender duet with Indie recluse, Ray LaMontagne. The track is so thoroughly stripped and intimate, the two artists might as well be performing at the listener’s side. Yamagata’s voice seems to have matured, maintaining an androgynous, Pink-like dose of rasp throughout the album. The stand away from the pack here is the soaring “Sunday Afternoon,” a ten minute foray through a forest of ambient air, longing strings, and marching beats, building mechanically to crashing heights: “I wont live for you, or die for you, do anything anymore for you, because you leave me here on the other side,” Yamagata climatically seethes, before the song drops out into its gorgeous, melancholy finish. The Country-tinged “Over And Over” is briefly mezmerizing, as the lonely twang of the guitar melds with a repetitive, aching chorus of “Over and over, and over and over again…Let it rain, let it rain.” The soundtrack to a rainy night’s drive home, for sure.

Much of Elephants moves slightly above a snail’s pace, so when the grinding guitar of “Sidedish Friend” comes rippling into the atmosphere with its confident intensity, it offers a welcome balance to the moody first half of the album. “Accident” comes in, unapologetically catchy, bends the twanginess of “Over and Over” into an all out bar-crashing, Western shoot-em-’up. “Faster” is an incredible moment on Teeth, as Yamagata growls atop a clapping, stomping rocky crunch, “I’m going faster, you’re going backwards, you’re gonna miss me when I’m gone.” The taunting, “da-da-da” middle eight of the track is a brilliant moment, oozing cockiness and confidence previously unimagined by the aritst. The only disappointment that Teeth closes when it does, as I could have listened to that album for another ten tracks or more.

An entirely fulfilling follow-up to her debut, Elephants….Teeth Sinking Into Heart, Yamagata offers both signature style and unexpected new tricks, proving that we’ve not heard all that the artist has to offer. The album is a wonderful accomplishment for its genre this year, and perhaps one of the finest.

Be sure to check out Rachael’s site here, and go to iTunes to buy the record.

DL: Rachael Yamagata – Over And Over
DL: Rachael Yamagata – Elephants
DL: Rachael Yamagata – Sidedish Friend
DL: Rachael Yamagata – Accident

In a somewhat unexpected decision, Kelly Clarkson will be touring with fellow singer, Mandy Moore during the Australian leg of her My December tour. I can’t say I saw that coming, but I can see it working pretty nicely…besides, Australia gets a bit shafted in the whole “touring” aspect of the music industry. Kelly could share some vocal tips with Mandy, and Mandy some helpful lyric skills to Kelly. Preferably the kind that don’t deal with revenge-sought sorrow over a cheating lover. I love you Kelly, but for God’s sake, we get it. He did you wrong. I’m ready to move on.

And before you roll your eyes at Mandy, listen to her latest release, Wild Hope from 2007, featuring co-written tracks with writers like Michelle Branch, Rachael Yamagata, and The Weepies. Who knew there was an authentic little indie-folk crooner hiding beneath that manufactured shell? Watch her performance of her single, “Nothing That You Are,” from Yahoo Music:

Read on for the tour date locations!
Source: KCKellyville Forums
And you, what do you think?

Tour Dates/Info as announced:

March 3rd – Adelaide, SA – Adelaide Entertainment Centre

March 4th – Molbourne, Victoria – Rod Laver Arena

March 6th – Sydney, NSW – Sydney Entertainment Centre

March 8th – Broadmeadow, NSW – Newcastle Entertainment Centre

March 9th – Boondall, QLD – Brisbane Entertainment Centre