Taylor a softer songstress

In a year packed with music from strong female artists, it’s no surprise that female singer-songwriters are making a comeback. Dreamy, pretty and insightful, Kim Taylor’s newest album, Little Miracle, gives listeners some much-needed softness. Kim Taylor

Little Miracle

Sounds Like: Cat Power, PJ Harvey, Kate Voegele

Grade: B

In a year packed with music from strong female artists, it’s no surprise that female singer-songwriters are making a comeback. Dreamy, pretty and insightful, Kim Taylor’s newest album, Little Miracle, gives listeners some much-needed softness.

Unlike many other recent releases from female artists such as Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, Kim Taylor’s music doesn’t have that pop-heavy edge, opting instead for an earnest sweetness that is both relaxing and refreshing without being too sugary. A favorite on NPR’s “World Cafe,” Taylor has the soulfulness of past artists such as PJ Harvey and Chrissie Hynde but the style of a new generation of songstresses like Kate Voegele and Regina Spektor.

Writing and recording the album in Cincinnati, Taylor tried to capture the diversity and ambiguity of the city and — though her lyrics are interesting — as a whole, Little Miracle can sound a little repetitive at times. What makes Taylor interesting is her voice, which has a raspy, jazz-like quality to it that interests listeners in a way her lyrics don’t. The austere method she employs — using only piano, acoustic guitar and percussion — is well-suited to her voice and allows her vocals to stand on their own.

Although not groundbreaking, Kim Taylor’s Little Miracle is soothing and pretty, the perfect background music for studying or relaxing.