Space, Dillon seems to float freely in it. With her sophomore album, The Unknown, Dominique Dillon de Byington moves on from the quirky pop of her debut for something stripped down and alien. Her voice sits in the foreground with lilting piano its most prominent accompaniment. Throughout the album this stark arrangement is slowly joined by electronic elements that serve to bring a certain futuristic element to the sound. At times it might remind you of Sampha’s recent output for Young Turks, but Dillon has something different to offer. Where Sampha might owe more to soul, Dillon’s heartbreak is cloaked in abstract poetics that briefly allow the listener in. I don’t suspect that she smiles too much. It’s stark music that has created its own beautiful world. 12 tracks over two sides, includes free CD of the album.

• music label: Bpitch control 2014

reviewed by Michu Meszaros 03/2014