There is a certain sense of respect you feel for female musicians who dare to defy the conventional 'sweet-young-thing' model for breaking out into the music industry. Missy Higgins is right about 21, but The Sound of White is far from your usual bubblegum pop outing. On her first single, 'Scar', she writes about trying to move on from experiences of misplaced trust and the human tendency to pigeonhole. The song which hit number one on the Australian carts showcases Missy's ease on the piano and guitar on a soaring, off-beat jazz melody. 'All for Believing', the track that bought her initial recognition, is gripping, in a haunting manner that speaks right to the heart. 'Falling' demonstrates where the place best to hear Missy - on the piano, and live. Discovered when she was still in high school, Missy didn't cash in on her new found fame but took a year off to enrich her mind and soul backpacking around Europe. The Sound of White is the product of that hiatus, and what a stunningly mature, insightful and honest achievement.