Gin Wigmore - Holy Smoke -2010-. -

Let’s address the centerpiece: Wigmore’s voice. It’s a raspy, gravelly, soulful growl that defies her age (she was 24 at release) and size. Comparisons to Amy Winehouse, Duffy, and even Tom Waits come to mind, but Wigmore has her own theatrical flair. She doesn’t just sing lyrics; she acts them out—sneering, crooning, whispering, and shouting often within the same verse.

Holy Smoke plays like a carnival—seedy, glittering, and dangerous. The album doesn't just play songs; it tells stories of cheats, lovers, losers, and survivors. Gin Wigmore - Holy Smoke -2010-.

A country-folk lament disguised as a party song. Acoustic guitar and a lonely melody underscore the album’s recurring theme of self-medication. "I only tell the truth when I'm lying down / I only sing when I'm drinking." It’s heartbreakingly honest about the crutches we use to avoid reality. The subtle harmonica solo adds to the late-night, last-call atmosphere. Let’s address the centerpiece: Wigmore’s voice

Holy Smoke is a brash, theatrical, and utterly captivating debut (internationally speaking) from New Zealand’s Gin Wigmore. Bursting with a voice that sounds like a 1940s cabaret chanteuse raised on bourbon and punk rock, the album blends bluesy stomps, pop hooks, and darkly witty storytelling. It’s unapologetically eccentric and full of swagger. She doesn’t just sing lyrics; she acts them