Mia, a guitar-slinging chanteuse with a penchant for
melancholy subject matter and unforgettable melody, met
Wills, the UK transplant with production chops that
split the difference between the dance floor and the
garage. Together they created a very tangible work of
art. Melodies compete for your attention against wistful
strings, classy breaks, big round bass lines and a
lumberjack's guitar. But rising above it all is that
voice...Riddle is equal parts PJ Harvey, Cat Power and
Judy Garland. When she sings, "I can't do the right
thing, if the right thing is leaving/I can't give it
a right whirl/ if I'm not the right girl" on the EP's
opening track, you don't know whether to embrace this
voice or run from it - but you'll be singing it for days.
When Bates heard Mia's stripped down songs, he knew he'd
found the perfect foil for his production technique.
The songs already possessed their own character,
sometimes mournful, sometimes empowered, and Wills
seized the opportunity to put his own stamp on them.
The result is stunning. A mini symphony for the iPod
set; high-minded without being pretentious. The four
song EP delivers a series of dizzying blows, replete
with biting wit, pop hooks, and one remarkable
performance after another.