IN an industry where going down the Chinese pop route seems the only way to make it as a commercially successful singer-songwriter, Corrinne May is an interesting exception.

Any Singaporean artist that can make it singing exclusively in English deserves some respect, regardless whether Corrinne's music is your cup of tea.

Speaking of her music, she'll be back in town next week to promote her new album, Beautiful Seed, which will hit stores on Aug 6. Those attending her concert today will not only get to hear the new songs performed live, but will get to buy her album before the official release date.

Concert-goers will get to hear a more mature Corrinne, if her description of the new album is any indication.

'The songs are more personal this time round and I share more of my convictions over certain things, even though it's a bit scary to put one's opinions out there,' Corrinne tells The Business Times on the phone from Los Angeles, where she is based.

'For example, there's a song that deals with pro-life issues,' she says, referring to her objections to abortion. 'It's called Beautiful Seed, and is the title song of the album.

'It's also a song about making a difference, and talks about the Mother Teresas and the Gandhis. People tried to keep them down but they stood up and made a difference. The song was written round Martin Luther King's birthday and was inspired by that.'

Corrinne explains that Beautiful Seed is a product of a period of her life that's seen a lot of spiritual introspection, and a greater awareness of current affairs.

Beyond the lyrics, the new songs also promise to have a different sound to them.

'We've incorporated a lot more string sounds with a string ensemble, so the album sounds a lot more organic,' she says.

'There's a warmer sound to it than my previous album, Safe in a Crazy World. That was more of a happy pop album, and reflected that romantic period in my life, when I'd just gotten married. Beautiful Seed is a more mature work.

'Melodically, Beautiful Seed is also different from the last album, which was written in major keys. The new one has lot of modal elements and minor keys. A few dissonant chords here and there but nothing that stays too long.

'One song, Shelter, actually ends on a minor chord. It's about being friends through good times and bad. There are two versions of the song, and the version that ends on a minor chord is the Cherry Blossom Edition, which is also the track that ends the album.'

Corrinne has been very prolific, releasing an album a year for the past three years. Is she going to maintain this hectic pace? 'I don't know. This past year I've been on a writing storm, but it felt good. I spent the past year going to the coffee house from10am to 2pm working on ideas, and then coming home to try those ideas on the piano. Songwriting's pretty much like any other job, and I'm hoping to keep up the rhythm.

As for her plans after the album and concert, 'I'm definitely taking a break after this album to breathe,' she says. 'But I'd love to explore something related to musical theatre, or even a symphonic work,' she adds, showing no signs of resting on her laurels or becoming a one-trick pony.

'Something on a larger scale that would involve more dramatic elements would be interesting. It also might be nice to come out with a solo piano record,' she adds.

In the meantime, Corrinne has her hands full preparing for her performance. 'The past year's been kinda hectic and this album's pretty stressful because of the deadlines,' she says. Concert-goers will get to judge for themselves if all the effort was worth it.