k.d. lang
Ingénue

From a duckling, not ugly but certainly awkward and limited, to a splendid swan in the span of just one album: before 1992, k.d. lang was a country singer who stood out from the multitude of colleagues between Canada and the USA more for her androgynous look and Elvis-like hairstyle than for her voice, which was not fully appreciated by a very standard repertoire, almost impersonal, I would say. The singer from Edmonton nonetheless managed to gain good reviews and a certain notoriety, but the potential of her voice, the potential of the persona definitely deserved more, a more substantial style, a broader horizon than the North American province, and with "Ingénue" comes finally the leap in quality. k.d. lang finally finds a personal stylistic hallmark and, above all, songs worthy of such a voice; a new path that begins in the best possible way, with a successful and, above all, impeccable album.

Indeed, we are faced with the classic album that, as they say, is worth a greatest hits: the country roots flow into a larger context, a semi-acoustic, intimate, vintage, and refined sound, sinuous melodies filled with stylistic and emotional nuances, very elegant outfits designed with the precious help of co-writer Ben Mink and a skilled and seasoned producer like Greg Penny, perfect for dressing that soft, round, and sensual voice. It's too easy to mention the classic "Constant Craving", especially because "Ingénue" certainly doesn't stop at this splendid song; in my opinion, the highest point is "Still Thrives This Love"; after two tracks with rarefied and meditative atmospheres like "Wash Me Clean" and "So It Shall Be", its jangling and unmistakable mandolin attack takes the listener almost by surprise, a sensation that is magnified immeasurably with the sly unfolding of this languid serenade that expertly reworks the motifs of Mediterranean folk song, especially in the refrain, presenting them in a finely-crafted crooner style. If "Constant Craving" has bewitched you, then "Season Of Hollow Soul" is the song for you, because it has all the energy and emotional melancholy of the famous single, plus an even more captivating style: a bit darker, lingering, jazzy veins, noir atmospheres, and a powerful, charismatic, unforgettable crescendo. And what can be said of the sparkling and self-ironic "Miss Chatelaine", with such a piece, k.d. lang shows off her more diva, more charming side, and she does it without getting too flustered, with a lively salsa rhythm, a touch of violins, and a vocal delivery that remains as soft and buttery as in the rest of the album. A perfect compromise between brilliance and aplomb.

There are many insights and delights within the ten songs of "Ingénue", the clarity and introspective calm of "Outside Myself", a gem that emerges in all its value after some attentive listening, "Save Me", a languid and highly sensual ballad, and "The Mind Of Love", more agile, ironic and lively, which remain partially anchored to country motifs, but with a completely new international personality and breath. In the end, when you reach the tenth and last song, "Constant Craving," you are already more than satisfied: the track to which "Ingénue" owes its fortune feels almost like an optional extra, something that further enriches the album without determining its overall value too much, and this can mean only one thing: k.d. lang has hit the mark. For those who love beautiful female voices, this is almost a must-see, but more generally, it is a perfect album for people of good taste and unhurried, an essential attitude to fully enjoy all the nuances and emotions of these vintage and expertly arranged melodies.