There are many ways to incorporate vocals as musical elements. They can be sliced and diced, layered, distorted and processed in many other ways. They can be used as drones, repeating lyrics or simply expressing notes. Bethan Lloyd does all that, almost trampling the electronic industrial underpinnings of her songs.

Bethan Lloyd Metamorphosis (Soulpunx)

The lyrics, which are enhanced rather than overwhelmed by the musical vocalizations, take the listener on an idiosyncratic spiritual voyage. Lloyd's ambitions, both lyrical and musical, are breathtaking. The ease with which she lands the plane is absurd.

These songs are arresting on first, twentieth and hundredth (I'm guessing) listens. There are so many moving parts that a true critical dissection would take ages (and be beside the point). The closest reference I can think of would be a post-modern oratorio with one hell of a rhythm track.

Again, the level of difficulty here is off the charts. Lloyd is unafraid of jumping off cliffs, and that fearlessness propels this album into rare company. I haven't heard anything like this, and yet accessibility is not a problem. Lloyd has laid herself bare. The results are stunning. Absurdly compelling.

Jon Worley