Jana Hunter

This second full-length from Jana Hunter is as stunning and peacefully brilliant as her first. Like any solid sophomore attempt, There’s No Home takes the strengths of the first release — her sullen vocals and simple guitar — and adds complementary but different components. The progression is evident from opening track "Palms,” which features Matthew Brownlie on vocals. "Babies,” meanwhile, is driven by Hunter’s vocals and enhanced with strings, solid drums and a chorus in the background. "Recess,” one of the biggest departures on the album, has Hunter sounding like a post-Jagger Marianne Faithful, backed by creeping, heavy guitars and an eerie male voice that stalks the brooding singer. Too many artists forget themselves when recording the sophomore release, allowing themselves to be seduced by the magic of the second chance. There’s No Home does just the opposite, with the bones of Hunter’s music still well intact, and these new digressions animating her lyrics.