Gigi Dover’s latest release, Nouveau, refreshingly pulls off an eclectic approach to songwriting with delicate hints of retro sounds that never seems forced or stale. Nouveau is an appropriate title, since it represents a lot of new chapters in Dover’s solo career. It’s the North Carolina native’s first truly collaborative project, sharing songwriting and production credits with her husband and guitarist Eric Lovell. It’s also her first real departure from the straight alt-country format of her previous releases, although some residual twang can be found here and there.

The fresh start no doubt had a liberating effect on Dover and her band The Big Love as the music has a fun, playful quality to it. From the raucous yet sensuous opener, “Deep Love,” Nouveau holds listeners’ attention with bright and airy production, playful performances and captivating songwriting. From the first track’s funky Little Feat-meets-Carole King vibe, Gigi sets herself up for walks down several musical roads. “Everybody Knows” feeds on one of the swampiest funk grooves since Dag released Righteous in 1994. “All Around You” uses sitar and East Indian melodies to invoke late ‘60s psychedelic rock. Later on “Suburban Lady” she tries on a cocktail jazz style for size — and it’s a flattering fit. All the while, the production recalls the ‘60s and ’70s approach of letting things happen naturally, without much in the way of punch-ins or overdubs. The result is a pleasant AM radio-ready listening experience.

Gigi Dover – Nouveau, on CD

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