I’m thrilled to get a second Michèle Ducray single to review. Genuinely. And this specific single, Ace Of Spades, has drawn my attention in a whole number of different ways.

My previous experiences of listening to this Wanaka lady’s material has left me with the impression of a wonderfully barmy person, unafraid of being her whole, raw self for us in the name of her art. Somewhat akin to Gaga, but our lady is a different one to that well-known Noo Yawker (who wants a cwoffee?). Darker. More out there in her willingness to explore.

This song has really surprised me, and all in positive ways. I expected it to be entertaining, because Michèle is entertaining, but I wasn’t expecting how different it was going to be to her previous stuff. Firstly the message of the song. I’ll let her explain: “The song was inspired by a rejection I felt from a guy a while ago, and more generally about the difficulties I have had in maintaining relationships. I’ve clearly been more into the person, than they have me! It relatedly reflects the intensities and rejections of romantic relationships and compares it to a ‘poker game’ in which the highest card of the deck is pulled, so the ‘player’ will leave the game (i.e. the relationship).”

While potentially subject material that would suit her usual dark pop vibe, Ace Of Spades is a gentle, sweet pop melody with a really gorgeous ear-worm tune that brings her genuine vocal ability to the fore. The lyrics are clever yet not weighted or ambiguous. It’s got a really savvy commercial arrangement, orchestration, mix and mastering (at Liam Quinn‘s Sydney studio), and is emotive in a plaintive and vulnerable way. The mix – and in particular the drums and overall lower end – helps to capture the hurt, and yet the team has been very clever in delivering a track that has left room for a dance-floor remix, if they felt like it, that doesn’t need to up any tempo or rearrange anything other than add some volume to the existing bass and some doof doof to the drums.

That’s not a criticism, it’s a plaudit. The song is spot on as it is, and leaves us wanting more.

The deviation from her (un)usual style is great, and doesn’t feel out of step with her uniqueness. It actually highlights her diversity and skill as a songwriter. You should get on this band wagon, because we need to support and follow genuinely one-of-a-kind performers like Michèle Ducray.