Singer/songwriter
Becca Stevens continues to hone her distinctive jazz-, folk-, and art pop-influenced sound on her third full-length effort, 2015's
Perfect Animal. The album follows up her acclaimed 2011 release, Weightless, and features production from
Scott Solter, who previously helmed projects by
St. Vincent and
Spoon. As with past
Stevens albums, included on
Perfect Animal are several surprising cover songs, including cuts by
Frank Ocean,
Usher, and
Steve Winwood. However, while covers are certainly an integral part of
Stevens' overall musical statement,
Perfect Animal primarily showcases the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music graduate's maturation into a truly sophisticated, inventive songwriter and performer. ~ Matt Collar