Asile’s World (Sugar Records)
by Michael McCarthy
Anything but a guilty pleasure, Asile’s World, the new disc from Italy’s Elisa, is mostly in English and it would be a crime if it isn’t released in the States because it’s a true electronic pop masterpiece. Sounding like a cross between Alanis and Björk, Elisa sings lyrics like “I am bleeding joy” in “Gift” and “stop / calling me with a name” in “Come and Sit” with a mix of unrestrained passion and bitter sarcasm. Listening, you can’t help but suspect she’s manic depressive because her vocals are always to the extreme, whether happy or sad. If you’ve recently become a fan of Amanda Ghost, you’re sure to love her.
(www.elisaweb.net)