First Listen: Kelli Scarr, 'Piece'

Enlarge courtesy of the artist

Kelli Scarr's enchanting, warmhearted debut will stream here in its entirety until its release on Aug. 3.

courtesy of the artist

Kelli Scarr's enchanting, warmhearted debut will stream here in its entirety until its release on Aug. 3.

We first met Kelli Scarr when she assisted Moby with his contribution to the NPR Music series Project Song. Their challenge was to write and record a song in just two days while the cameras rolled, and you can watch their triumph here. Now, Scarr has finished her debut solo album, called Piece, and it's enchanting.

When Scarr sings, it sounds as if she's singing just for you: She has that whisper, that breath in her voice that feels close to the ear. Close your eyes, and it's as if she's standing next to you. The tasteful production on Piece, the way the spare arrangements sit in the mix, serves that side of her voice well.

Scarr is already enjoying a big year: She's just been nominated for an Emmy for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in a Craft: Music and Sound" as a composer for the HBO documentary In a Dream. And now, with the release of the tender and warmhearted Piece, she's poised for something even bigger: a strong personal connection with an ever larger audience.

Kelli Scarr's Piece will stream here in its entirety until its release on Aug. 10. Please leave your thoughts on the album in the comments section below.