Hot Disc: Sally Seltmann, Heart That’s Pounding
A few years ago, a little song called “1234” came out. You may have heard it before. Originally titled “Sally’s Song,” it was picked up while Feist was on the road before recording The Reminder. It’s words belong to Sally Seltmann, who at the time was releasing little-known albums from her native Australia under her New Buffalo pseudonym. Well, Feist picked up the song’s tempo, and turned Seltmann’s song into a joyful and twinkling commercial success. Meanwhile, Seltmann was picked up by Arts & Crafts.If you’re familiar with Seltmann’s dreamier New Buffalo days—the tunes are lovely and muddy, full of warbling melodies—then you’ll be surprised by her new album’s sharper production and sometimes fluffier tone. Released under her given name, Heart That’s Pounding showcases Seltmann’s lilting voice through all its pretty breaks and floats.
Songs on this album are mainly about heartbreak. Some, poppy torch songs like “Harmony to my Heartbeat,” others, quaint string arrangements under lyrics about bohemian romance, such as “Book Song.”
But then there are straight-up pop tunes that are, as if anything matters more while you’re listening to them, a bundle of fun and joy. “Dream About Changing,” is just that. Chanting, clapping and thumping, the song is a lot like its refrain, “I’m sailing a ship on a lake that never runs dry.” Although Seltmann claims “I’m a little bit shy” on this number, we’d hardly say that’s the case.
Heart That’s Pounding was released this week.
