Annie Dressner - Broken into Pieces (2018)

Annie Dressner was born and raised in New York City, where she cut her musical teeth on the busy acoustic music scene, appearing regularly at such iconic venues as The Bitter End and Rockwood Music Hall. Since relocating to the UK seven years ago she has received airplay on BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music and has appeared at Green Man and Cambridge Folk Festival.

Her second album "Broken Into Pieces" is produced by Nigel Stonier whose many collaborations include Thea Gilmore, Fairport Convention, Martha Wainwright, The Waterboys and current BB6 Music breakthrough artist Abbie Ozard.

"Broken Into Pieces" features 11 all new Dressner originals.

Contributing musicians include fellow New Yorker Matthew Caws of Nada Surf on electric guitars, alongside UK musicians including Stonier himself, drummer Che Beresford (Capercaille, Black Grape) and Dressner's husband Paul Goodwin - himself a respected songwriter - on keyboards. Backing vocal duties are handled by singer/songwriters Polly Palusama and Dan Wilde along with Jade Rhiannon Ward of The Willows.

Annie's lyrics throughout are shot through with honesty and a rare candour... they hone in on the everyday minutiae of relationships and life, catching the moments where hearts and worlds turn on their respective axes.

These are set to direct, memorable folk/pop melodies and delivered almost conversationally in Annie's affecting clear toned Manhattan alto.

From the stark intimacy of "Bruise Beneath My Bones" to the light East Coast rock of "Get Out" via the almost campfire folk groove of "Heartbreaker", Dressner draws on a wide musical palette. And from the heartbreak of "Kentucky" to the understated euphoria of "Morning" the album runs the full emotional gamut.