Laura Hickli/36? - Both Feet in the World, At Least I Can Stand/Naturally Split LP (North Pole)

Calgary, Alberta’s classically-trained, award-winning Hickli possesses a beguiling voice that flabbergasts on first listen; look no further than “Two Dogs,” the breathtaking, pin drop-quiet piano recitation that opens Both Feet, her half of this split LP. On that number, and the gripping, portentous, vocoder-accented singles “Love, Outlive Me” and “Unholy Power,” her dulcet, vowels-stretching vibrato blends Elizabeth Fraser and Kate Bush, turning each of her five confessional songs into poignant, spine-tingling treasures. Hickli also contributes piano and keyboards for 36?, an equally acclaimed Calgary art-rock/electro-pop quintet — their 2014 LP Where Do We Go From Here? was named rock album of the year at the Western Canadian Music Awards — led by eloquent, deep-toned crooner Taylor Cochrane. Of their seven selections, the ostentatious “Natural” sounds like Nick Cave fronting a glitchy new wave band, while the splashily-produced standout “Samuel” recalls Orange & Lemons-era XTC, and the folky “Changes” brings to mind Hidden Cameras and Loney, Dear. Though stylistically poles apart from Hickli’s solo side, Naturally is captivating in its own quirky way. (northpolerecords.com)

Laura Hickli “Unholy Power”

Laura Hickli “Finding You’re Not Missing a Thing”

36? “Natural”

36? “Samuel”