Abbe May

Overview

Abbe May's 2011 album Design Desire is all distorted riffs, heavy drums and a disarmingly angelic voice that softens the noise just enough to make it attractive to people who decide on the soundtracks for commercial television. Her new single is a bit different. "Karmageddon" is gloomy (duh) and no less visceral than last year's stuff, but by toning down the loud guitars it makes mass destruction sound mysterious and seductive.

With its cyclonic winds and hazy smoke clouds shrouding her sultry vocals, the video for "Karmageddon" gives you a good idea of Abbe May's new direction even if you've got the sound switched off. Even more alluring though will be her performance in Goodgod's Danceteria, which features smoke machines aplenty.