This week saw the release of an utterly beautiful and magical album, The Quick of the Heart, from the wonderfully talented Quinta. The London based multi-instrumentalist and composer, known as one quarter of experimental arts collective Collectress, keeps herself busy with many other projects and collaborations. Having composed for dance, circus, theatre, TV and film, Quinta has also played and worked with some stellar artists, including Radiohead’s Philip Selway, Patrick Wolf, The Penguin Cafe and many more.

Like a treasure chest of songs, The Quick of the Heart is full of gems from start to finish. Quinta’s sensitivities and inventiveness know no boundaries, and we find her shining on every instrument on the record. Unlike her previous effort where strings and the musical saw were core instruments, on the new album the piano takes a central role. Quinta played and recorded different pianos and keyboards in varied places, including a pipe organ in Portland’s Old Church.

To get you enticed, listen to the radiant and enveloping album track ‘Astragal (The Most Wonderful)’. And straight after lend your ears over to ‘Blood’, a gentle and moving song offered with a video by Quinta, featuring some footage from her recent residency in China as part of the British Council and PRS’s Musicians in Residence programme.

Head over to Quinta’s bandcamp to order and hear The Quick of the Heart in its full glory.