Via Tania is the most recent project of Tania Bowers, whose music has traveled from Australia to Chicago through punk, noise-pop, and dreamy electronica. After signing with the respected hip-hop label Chocolate Industries, Tania's beautiful ambient sound has met with production and remix work by Prefuse 73 and Tortoise's John Herndon, producing soulful, deeply textured music: the reason you bought those new headphones.

"Via Tania's music is a blend of Sade, Nico of the Velvet Underground, Massive Attack and Seefeel on a slow, endless roller coaster." [Forced Exposure]

On her EPs

and , Tania flirts with a dark, moody atmosphere, but listening through either of these albums is really just a peaceful experience: the Nico/Velvet Underground comparison is sharp. My favorite track is at the end of Dream Of..., Drift Away Remix (By Prefuse 73) -- but for a feel of Via Tania on her own, check out Fighter . This is straight out of a smoky jazz club, one of those moments where people look up and notice the singer for the first time. Tania's voice sails above an upright bass and ambient percussion, and hearing the song fade out brings the same paradox of sorrow and satisfaction as finishing a great book.

This is no easy listening, but you will feel easy after a session with Via Tania. And best of all: it costs nothing to hit repeat.