Saba Lou's second album, Novum Ovum, ditches the simple sonic approach of her debut in favor of something fuller and more diverse. On 2017's Planet Enigma, she paired winningly unadorned vocals with the strum of her trusty nylon-string guitar, here she and a tightly knit band give witty '50s- and early-'60s-inspired songs some texture and kick. Guitarist Oskar Wild proves to be a fine partner, giving each song a boost with his nifty playing, and the rhythm section pulls off the neat trick of sounding tight and loose at the same time. Whether twanging on rambling country tunes like "On the Fields," getting raucous on the punky title track, lilting and swaying on a soulful reggae love song ("Primrose Diner"), or simmering nicely on the late-night soul groover "Silver Pill," their flexibility and dexterity is impressive. Of course, a great-sounding band without songs to play isn't worth much, and that's where Saba Lou comes in. Her pen is sharp and incisive with lyrics that detail issues and emotions both incredibly personal (as on the title track) or fantastical ("Humpback in Time," which is inspired by Star Trek IV) with humor and pathos. Her melodies are sticky and hummable, with fun choruses that stand up after multiple listens, and the stylistic range she displays is wide. She knocks out strutting New Orleans rock ("Cherie Sherabou"), angry punk blues ("Dirty Blonde"), and low-budget girl group R&B (Telepathic") with aplomb and it's hard to imagine a '50s or '60s style that would stump her and the band. The only thing the record is missing is a knockout single, but the cumulative strength of the songs makes up for that. Novum Ovum is a fine sophomore record that builds on Saba Lou's promising debut and sets her up as someone worth watching in the future.