Anni Rossi is a badass. She's no frills and she's different. The beauty is she doesn't even seem to realize she's extraordinary in writing or vocal character, because that's just who she is.

And who she is performing can throw you off in an unexpected, freaky, intriguing kind of way...she plucks and bows viola to expressive life and stomps a box while wielding her well-commanded voice at once as tiny pillow and swift blade, interspersed with surprise Tourettes-like outbursts.

This is the way Anni does it. If you feel a little awkward, deal with it. But get over it fast, because Anni Rossi is a big helium-filled balloon of refreshing talent. She gives you the feeling of rejoicing with your shoes off in an organic garden or riding the ferris wheel on acid. Sneakily plying the senses, Anni Rossi's songs abstrusely work their magic, invisibly altering unsuspecting listeners.

A bizarre yet pretty ode to biology and love, Wheelpusher belongs in a Tim Burton-directed kid's flick. Lyrically odd and compelling in her unusual poesy, Rossi appeals as a breathy forest nymph's take on Lou Reed.

Although she's self-possessed and distinctively her own - a real-life Lynch character - comparisons of Rossi to Joanna Newsom are obligatory. If you haven't listened yet, you'll see what I mean in a jiffy.

Anni Rossi's album Rockwell, engineered by Steve Albini (Joanna Newsom, PJ Harvey, The Pixies), just came out on heavy-hitting 4AD. Catch her on tour with UK's Noah and the Whale through April, Ben Solle through May and Camera Obscura through June.

Anni Rossi - Wheelpusher - Luxury Wafers Sessions from Luxury Wafers on Vimeo.

Listen to the tracks (option/click to download):

Machine

Venice

West Coast

Check out Anni Rossi on Myspace and be sure to visit her nifty personal blogspot.

Photos from Anni Rossi's Luxury Wafers Session