Proving that Merseybeat never died, it just matured, Liverpool lass Payne takes the torch-singer template and adds trip-hop to the mix. The latest in label Deltastonic’s production line of Scouse talent, she follows in the footsteps of local heroes The Coral and The Zutons. Her brother Sean is drummer with the latter and another sibling, Howie previously lead singer with The Stands before becoming a solo artist in his own right.

“Bemused but flattered” by comparisions with Dusty Springfield, Candie at least admits she’s a proud owner of Dusty in Memphis. And much prefers it to anything else Springfield has recorded. She’s probably got some Shirley Bassey in her collection too, judging from the Diamonds Are Forever-sounding opener and title track.

Whilst she’s a relatively inexperienced solo singer, Payne is hardly a newcomer. Her love of music intensified when she worked in trendy clothes shop, Resurrection, to a soundtrack of Sly and the Family Stone, Funkadelic and The Meters. During her stint there, she was approached to front Tramp Attack, described by the NME as “the Liverpool bands’ favourite band”.

Sugary without being sickly, Candie Payne is the dark chocolate of the music world. To be savoured rather than devoured. A most refined taste indeed.
(4/5)