Hannah Georgas
This Is Good (Hidden Pony)

You’ve got to give Hannah Georgas points for unpredictability. One minute she’s ripping it up on the Metric-esque (and weirdly sexually suggestive) “Dancefloor”, the next she’s singing over banjo and handclaps on the meditative “The Deep End”. If things are sonically all over the map, though, it’s a map of the land of artsy indie pop.

Giving credit where it’s due, This Is Good was coproduced by local studio guru Howard Redekopp and Mother Mother mastermind Ryan Guldemond. The latter also contributed in various other ways, including playing guitars and keyboards and writing string parts. Other notable names in the disc’s credits include those of cellist Peggy Lee and drummer Niko Friesen, so it goes without saying that this is a fantastic-sounding project highlighted by stellar playing.

At its centre are Georgas and her songs. Her vocals are edged with sadness and her lyrics most often speak of yearning for love, for comfort, and for a place in the world. The angst is leavened by the ingenious arrangements; check out the ’20s-jazz vibe of “Something for You” and the sombre chamber pop of “Thick Skin”. Georgas handles even the darkest moments with a light touch, which suggests that just maybe everything’s going to be okay after all.