Scout Niblett -‘It’s Up To Emma.’ (Drag City)

Emma Louise Niblett, known as Scout Niblett, is British, but sounds American. In a world full of sensitive singer-songwriters of both sexes, there’s a rawness, honesty and confrontation here that has more in common with the likes of Liz Phair, Cat Power or PJ Harvey. And when an English singer starts off a record with a lyric like ‘Think I’m gonna buy me a gun, a nice little silver one/And in a crowd someday, you won’t see it coming, anyway’ you sense that there is no mucking around here.

It’s not just the lyrics that are raw; the music accompanying her is electric guitar (no solos) and a selection of drummers, delivered in a way that makes the White Stripes’ early records seem over-produced. If you want it sugar-coated, you’ve come to the wrong place, kiddo.

Even her cover of TLC’s ‘No Scrubs’ is upfront and in your face; while the original suggested sassy American lasses who weren’t taking any crap, in Scout’s hands, you sense she would death-star the scrubs, in a manner reminiscent of Sissy Spacek as Carrie, shortly before all hell breaks loose.

So no, not an easy ride, but one that is worth taking.

***1/2

It’s Up To Emma is out now on Drag City.