Twenty-one year old singer-songwriter, Sahara Smith proves that age really is nothing but a number. The stunning, redheaded crooner from Austin, TX, is blessed with a refined set of pipes that is both raspy and smooth, and laced with a hint of sultriness, that is neither forced nor contrived.

Garnering national attention at the age of 14, Smith gained a bit of notoriety after coming in second at a local songwriters competition in her hometown. Her soul-bearing vocals later grabbed the attention of Grammy-award winning producer, T-Bone Burnett, who’s long time associate, Emile Kelman, took on the production of Smith’s debut album, Myth of the Heart; a collection of indie rock tunes, slated for release August 31. Smith delivers a mix of everything from folk to backyard blues that meddles smoothly with her down-tempo vocals.

Her lyrics are often introspective and poetic, with a range of hill-country melodies that easily mimic the likes of The Indigo Girls, Judy Collins, and Jewel. While she cites some of her musical influences as Tom Waits, Townes Van Zandt and Leonard Cohen, Smith still has a few miles to gain under her feet before being compared to her stronger predecessors. Live shows often carry little audience engagement as the young singer, moves from one song to the next.

Nonetheless, Myth of the Heart boasts understated lyrics, typically sung in a sultry whisper that are far moredeveloped than what is often heard from girls her age. Backed by drummer Jake Bellerose, Marc Ribot on guitar, and bassist Dennis Crouch, the back porch collection of easy listening rock and soul tunes is well fitted for an evening perched on a recliner with a glass of wine or lemonade.

Smith’s voice remains sharp and smoky, as she takes on a contemporary approach to her poetic songwriting, such as in the album’s beginning track, “Thousand Secrets,” where the young chantues sings of, moonlight breaking on the window glass/ and cool light shaking on the long white grass. She also takes a stab at heavy-hitting soul in “Train Man”, where her voice begin to go down tempo-her vocals artfully described as “a potent mix of whiskey and molasses.”

Currently on tour with Mason Jennings and Nathaniel Rateliff, Sahara Smith is bound to hear her feel-good, backyard bluesy rock, blasting through radio airwaves soon enough.