Busy Inara George. As one half of The Bird and The Bee, George with producer/writer/instrumentalist Greg Kurstin (Lily Allen, Sia) has been turning smart art-pop melodies into flittering electromix gems of uncompromising color and clarity since 2006. As a solo artist, she created one of the finest examples of distinctive modern singer/songwriter possibilities with her '06 album All Rise. And just this year she and L.A. pop legend and composer/arranger Van Dyke Parks crafted an ambitious song cycle, the extraordinary An Invitation. So we were somewhat taken aback when we got a note today from Ms. George announcing the digital only release of a new solo project: Accidental Experimental. And, oh by the way, it's out, well, today.

It "isn't like a regular record", says George of the new album. Working with producer/collaborator Mike Andrews, she's resurrected a number of songs that she says have been kicking around for a while. "This was like digging into the back of the closet and bringing out your winter clothes," she remarks. Dusted off, newly spiffed up with some sparkling, inventive production, songs like the unsurprisingly wonderful "Surprise" and theatrical "Right As Wrong" are revelations of concise, intricately structured neo-cabaret folk and unapologetically cerebral pop. This isn't music for the lazy listener looking for the sing-songy hip-pop playground ditties dumbing down contemporary radio charts. This is a collection of eleven thoughtful, meticulously thought-out excursions of fanciful songs that have their own timeless element. Highly recommended.

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Inara George - "Bomb" (from the album Accidental Experimental)

Inara George - "Bottlecaps" (from the album Accidental Experimental)

Photos: Autumn DeWilde