Emily Bell’s fiery quick release arrives ready-made for diva-dom and wind machines. She’s at her most biting on fast-talking sass standouts “Can’t Talk Back” and “Goddess of Destruction,” anthems that channel Miley Cyrus and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ Karen O. Guitar licks from backing band the Talkbacks keep a leg in alt-rock territory with a side of Southern twang. At softer moments, the bandleader edges into oversaturated sweetness, but five-song EP Kali proves a promising intro to Bell’s earworm abilities.

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This article appears in August 11 • 2017.

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