Already a star in her native New Zealand,
Gin Wigmore makes her global debut with the release of
Holy Smoke, an album that shoots to bridge the gap between neo-soul and rock & roll. On paper,
Wigmore certainly has the makings of a popular artist; she’s blonde, brazen, and named after a liquor, even if her raspy alto sounds more whiskey-soaked than gin-splashed. She also surrounds herself with some of the industry’s most competent characters, from former
Ryan Adams cohorts the Cardinals (who perform on every track here) to veteran producer
Mike Elizondo. The result is an album that finds some middle ground between
Wigmore's neo-soul croon and the Cardinals' country-rock, with songs like "One Last Look" featuring the best of both camps. ~ Andrew Leahey