In a year known for young female singers, it’s tempting to ask why this one’s any different. That there is a difference is the point: Julie McKee, a classically trained pianist and songwriting chanteuse is dazzling the music scene with her wry and quirky, jazz-toned pop. If you’ve not heard her music yet, think Randy Newman played with a Tori Amos feel, a slap of Ben Folds irreverence and a voice reminiscent of Annie Lennox and Jane Siberry.

Her new album, What A Woman Shouldn’t Do, was released in June 2008. Its songs draw on her experiences of life in a big city and a fascination with the foibles of others. The resulting musical vignettes range from compassionate and tender to downright funny.

Julie also has a masters degree in jazz studies from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, but her musical influences range far and wide, taking in pop, soul, rock, blues and classical. And it’s all right there in the new album: “I listen to all kinds of music and would hate my songs to be described simply as one genre. To me, good music is good music, wherever it comes from,” she says.