Jazzy pop
Fusing jazz, Spanish and classical guitar sounds and pop influences, "Dandelions" is a complex record but comes together into a surprisingly cohesive whole. Not the kind of record we would usually review here at RoomThirteen as it's a little too lounge/easy listening for our tastes perhaps and with a few lyrical cliches too many on occasion, but nevertheless, the tunes flow well and it is an album that would be well suited for feature on Radio2.
Kaz's vocals are smooth and emotive and she has a big range; she is backed on the album by a huge array of performers on cello, violin, bass, piano, brass and drums, despite this though the songs can sound almost intimate as the use is often subtle. 'Pachamama' for instance meanders pleasantly for its six minute length, complex jazz-style percussion melds with theatrical touches, interesting key changes and minimal moments where just strings take over. 'The Wall' and 'Nice Life' are great tracks, very filmic, with clarinet, piano and cello creating a thoughtful, melancholic mood.
Refusing to adhere to traditional pop song structures, the mixing of styles on "Dandelions" is to be applauded. Kaz retains her strong English accent, which adds to the charm of many of the tracks like 'The Dandelion Song'; a piece that has those charming vocals with quirky rhythms and a catchy melody to hold it all together. The gentle, meandering style of this record, with its constant twisting and turning makes the obviously complex structures sound easy to perform, but clearly they are not.