(17 April 2005) With music as dark, mysterious, and angelic as her namesake, Sarah Fimm makes a resounding splash with her latest effort, Nexus (Sarah Fimm (USA), 2004). While her earlier work was impressive in its own right, Sarah has effectively taken her music to the next level with this album. Straddling the line between female singer-songwriters like that other Sarah (McLachlan) and more progressive electronicists like Bjork, Sarah Fimm's "folktronic" sound is a breath of refreshing air. In fact, there are strong comparisons to be made with favorites Sylvia Tosun and the newly reformed October Project.

First and foremost, Nexus is an assertive display of solid songcraft. With introspective and poignant lyrics, dreamy piano breaks, bold percussion and mechanical synth pulses, the songs on the album set the perfect pitch for a lonely and beautiful night. "Story of Us" calls to mind the efforts of melodic trip-hoppers Daughter Darling. A strong downtemp percussion contrasts wonderfully with Sarah's subtle melodic voice and coruscating arp synths.

The gossamer piano and shuddering soundwaves of "Strange" work amazingly well together. Once again, Sarah's accesible and pensive musings are married perfectly to the dream-like music. "Be What You Wanna Be" sails close to Tori Amos realms. (Sarah has jokingly indicated that she is not allowed to listen to Tori Amos in her efforts to develop her own sound). Nevertheless, the jaunty percussion and romantically plaintive piano rifts work together particularly well.

"Walk Away" is another richly layered piece of musical heartbreak that somehow manages to sound both melancholy and luminous at the same time. The closing track "Storytime" is an undeniably serphaic and tender solo piano instrumental that gently concludeds the album.

Sarah Fimm is just on the cusp of her breakthrough. After being mentioned as one of the "top ten" albums of 2004 by Rolling Stone, Sarah may finally garner the notice she so richly deserves. Certain to appeal to fans of Tori Amos, Hungry Lucy and Harland, Sarah Fimm has joined the ranks of the best of emerging female singer-songwriters.--Justin Elswick in Provo, Utah