Kate Lush

Australia’s Kate Lush refers to herself as a “rocking country-soul-pop-R&B-jazz singer,” and all of those elements are in play on Don’t Wait Too Long. Nonetheless, its accessible sound and lyrics about love, loss and self-empowerment would be right at home on country radio—never mind that it was recorded thousands of miles from Nashville, in Sydney. Tying all these elements together is Kate’s warm but forceful voice and sharp songwriting, as well as Michael Carpenter’s impressive work as producer and multi-instrumentalist. (Available digitally in the U.S. through retailers like the iTunes store and amazon.com.)