It has been 15 years since Bic Runga introduced herself to us with Drive. Belle is her fourth album in that time and the periods in between leave us wanting more. I for one am not disappointed. She shares the writing duties with some other well known artists this time but from the outset her dreamy, almost happy vocals share the limelight with a great group of songs. No surprise there as this great NZ export has been leaving her mark on audiences around the world. The first single ‘Hello Hello’ is indicative of the light air that permeates this album, even songs of melancholy have a sense of hope. Please, please don’t leave us waiting so long for the next release.

Lou Fulco is from Readings Hawthorn