Marykate O'Neil – Marykate O'Neil (2002)

"Marykate O'Neil" (2002) is the self-titled debut solo album by American indie singer, guitarist, and songwriter Marykate O'Neil. Originally released on June 4, 2002, on the independent label 71 Records and later picked up by major indie distributor Nettwerk, this release became a true under-the-radar hit on college radio stations in the US and a favorite of music critics.

Critics from CMJ magazine described this style very succinctly, calling Marykate's music a cross between Elvis Costello and Astrud Gilberto, while other publications often compared her to a lighter, more cheerful version of Aimee Mann.

The album received rave reviews (including four stars from Rolling Stone) and reached the top 10 of CMJ's "Best of 2002" chart on American independent radio. The album was a huge success in Japan—three of its songs were covered by the famous Japanese actress and singer Tomoyo Harada.

"Marykate O'Neil" is a perfect example of the smart, intelligent guitar-driven indie pop of the early 2000s, where behind the seemingly lighthearted and sunny melodies lie honest, and sometimes painful, stories about everyday life.