Credit: Found On Internet

In the space of two weeks, Rough Trade records has dug out not one but two very special female vocalists.

If you are not a huge fan of the female singer-songwriter tradition, here is where you must lay your prejudices down at the door and prepare to be turned by the charms of Becky Stark and Basia Bulat.

Stark is the guiding voice behind Lavender Diamond, a Los Angeles band which melds the talents of classical composer and pianist Steve Gregoropoulos, be-plaited drummer and comic artist Ron Rege Jr and guitarist Jeff Rosenberg.

With so many creative influences – and hey they hang with The Decemberists, Devendra Banhart and Jenny Lewis too - their debut album Imagine Our Love is brimming with lush, folk-pop symphonies. 

None of the tracks are taken from their fabulous introduction, the Cavalry of Light EP, so there are a dozen new delights, which rise and fall through the rhythms of folk, sultry Seventies pop, with occasional diversions into bleaker territory.

Stark’s clear, resonating vocals – akin to ringing sound from the top of wine glasses – weave through each song, lending the record an unusual purity.

The band are serious about their music -  they plan to harness its power to spread peace and love -  but thankfully they don’t take themselves too seriously.

Here Comes One is supposed to be about “how the apocalypse is tearing us apart,” when in fact it’s a magnificent, piano-led rousing celebration of life. Open Your Heart is an equally uplifting vision of acoustic pop, with handclaps aplenty.

Lavender Diamond want to engage YOU – and have made listening easy by giving each song its own message and scribbling the sleeve notes with cartoons, lyrics and dance instructions.

Just to be sure of bewitching her audience, Stark took the precaution of casting spells during the recording sessions. I  predict the white magic won’t be needed.

Basia Bulat and Becky should probably be buddies as Canadian Bulat also draws inspiration from nature’s life-force - and even claims to find her songs growing on trees. Hmmmm.

The songstress has likewise assembled a tight-knit collective which includes her brother Bobby on drums, her best pal Holly Rancher on percussion and ukulele and buddies Seo-Jin and Sebastian on violin and cello.