Caitlin Park - The Sleeper (2014)

There's always something busy and buzzing in the background on the sophisticated folk-tronica offerings of Sydney-based singer/songwriter Caitlin Park. As we noted on our original RADAR, Park is "fond of embellishing her songs with a quickened rhythmic pulse and some innovative studio soundscaping." Self-written, produced and arranged sophomore album The Sleeper (May 2, AUS) goes for, as Park puts it, "more sampling, a bigger sound and more filmic-esque adventure." Melding field recordings of sounds and voices, movie dialogue (she was once a video store clerk) and some addictively catchy melodies, Park laid her tracks down initially without drums or percussion preferring to add the beats and samples later. The result is a fascinating collage of tender hooked songs, Park's smoky vocals and and array of skittering beat embellishments. Click through to stream the extra-fine "Hold Your Gaze.