By Brian Tucker

There are singers whose voices illustrate years of earned living, experience paired with soulfulness. It’s all the more inviting when a younger singer delivers heartfelt energy and emotions in a variety of styles.

Bibis Ellison is one of those singers, one whose voice bears heft and soul yet vibrant enough she can fit in comfortably in most genres. Ellison beautifully harmonizes yet can gingerly growl lyrics (think Toni Child). On Demo, a collection of songs recorded last fall by Fed Champion (of Glow in the Dark Scars) the singer showcases her softer and more rural side with songs that are anything but barn burners. Ellison digs deep, smartly chasing away large production for simplicity that ultimately sounds larger and fuller.

On “Lady of Nobody” Ellison takes a very simple idea of handclaps and foot stomps and sings against it as a guttural, haunted chorus bellows in the background. It’s a forceful, gospel rich performance that beautifully blends the thunderous and rapturous. Her voice seems to effortlessly sooth, then cry out.

The Joni Mitchell-esque “Fake Diamonds” is done in slower cadence, almost spoken word fashion that is mysterious and wistful. “Foxes” is a stark, trance-like song, where looped background vocals are layered in over throbbing guitar notes and Ellison’s prickly singling. “I Gotta Town for You” is the album’s catchiest, from handclaps to sweet harmonies that sounds like an adult lullaby.

The album is available as a digital download for $5 at Bandcamp.