RADAR: Elin Ruth

After four well-received albums and numerous radio hits, Swedish singer/songwriter Elin Ruth packed up and headed to New York City where she looked to take a breather and rekindle her creative spark. She returned empty handed and frustrated artistically but she did find love (and future hubby) -- and thus a reason to move back to NYC. Her songwriting was also inspired along with her desire to play live and Elin Ruth -- who dropped her last name Sigvardsson in the process -- has been finding her way in the new surroundings, playing local clubs and readying her fourth album as a self-titled American debut on January 29. The folk/pop songcraft that we first heard nearly a decade ago with songs like "Paper Cup Words" is still intact on tracks such as the wry "F Off" (with Ane Brun) and stately "Hymn About A Tree" but we're also treated to the brass-rich Memphis styled 60's-ish throwback "Bang" and the country torch ballad "Higher (Supermom)". The four-track Bang EP featuring "Hymn About A Tree" and a newly reworked version of "Paper Cup Words" is available free at her Facebook page.

Elin Ruth - "Bang" (from Elin Ruth)

Elin Ruth - "Hymn About A Tree" (from Elin Ruth)

The one that started it all: