Following her 2012 'Strangers' EP, Melinda Ortner has finally released her much anticipated debut album, I Wanna be OK. Her lyrics are refreshingly honest and forthcoming, and her songs are written with great care, with an eye for the details as well as larger picture. The album covers more than one resounding theme, the most important being this dream of Ortner’s - pursuing a music career and the fears surrounding it.

I Wanna be OK felt very much like the greatest hits of an established singer-song writer, rather than the debut album of a relative newcomer. This is an impressive first album, and one that should become an instant hit.

Personal highlights include the title tracks 'I Wanna be Ok'; 'Say Those Things' (which sounds very much like the sort of track Keane would release); and 'Maybe' (which is a beautiful way to close the album).

The only slightly weak track is the album's opening 'Wait Another Day' which is a little dull and didn't get the album off to the greatest start.

If there is any justice in the world then Ortner will quickly become a huge success - she's certainly got the talent.

9

Nick Smithson