Julie Hardy: The Wish

Three years ago, with her debut release A Moment’s Glance, Julie Hardy proved herself, as both singer and songwriter, a fresh force to be reckoned with. Now Hardy is back to make good on that promise with an even finer, more bracingly intuitive, assortment of originals and covers. Among the latter, an acutely aching “We Kiss In a Shadow,” an “All or Nothing at All” that cleverly alternates between barren and bounteous, an “I Fall In Love Too Easily” overflowing with self-reflective remorse and a furtive scuttle through Lennon and McCartney’s “I’m Looking Through You” that borders on vengeful consistently speak both to Hardy’s interpretative astuteness and her smarts as an arranger. Hardy is even more impressive when she crafts her own material, drifting wordlessly through the lazy, sun-dappled “August,” etching the long-distance regret of “3000 Miles” and painting vibrant vocal tone poems as she rides the varying waves of the titular triptych that progresses from the gently forceful promise of “On the Verge,” through the calm interlude of “Patience” and on to the hallowed majesty of “Soaring.”

Originally Published January 1, 2008