I'm driving home back up the coast, after judging a singer/songwriter competition. Scarlett Affection, one of the finalists of the particular Heat that night, and eventual winner of the competition, have given me their three track E.P. in the hope I might stock it in the Record Store I work at. Based on the performance of their song 'Denouement' earlier in the night, there was not going to be any doubt of us taking a few copies to put on the shelve.

Ejecting whatever I had in the car stereo at the time because I had listened to it once too often (Springsteen's 'Darkness on the Edge of Town' if you must know), I throw in their disc, titled Laced, and am immediately transfixed by the angelic vocals from the two sisters that make up Scarlett Affection. Byron Bay locals Melia and Nerida Naughton have the uncanny knack for brilliant two part harmonies that have served artists such as The Everly Brothers, Neil and Tim Finn, Vicki and Donna Simpson from The Waifs and Donny and Marie Osmond well in the past. Okay, probably not the last example but you get the idea: there is nothing like the intimate knowledge siblings have when performing together.

The duo specialise in moody piano/guitar with haunting melodies that thankfully don't descend into Robert Smith 'bed wetter' territory. 'Pianoman' (No it's not a cover, before you even ask!) tells the desire for the intriguing guy playing the Steinway and most probably the desire to experience more than his talent on the ivories. On 'Take me Down' they search for more than just mere pleasure, someway to connect even closer with their love: I want to find your soul and lose it with you.

The jewel though is 'Denouement', a heartbreaking tale about closing the books on a love that is no more. Performed live, this song is absolutely brilliant, feeding off the energy of the audience right to the very last line where Melia simply states And then we're gone. In the studio, the song holds up just as well and is a fitting finale to a nice little taster for hopefully what is to come for the group.

And therein lies the problem with Laced. At only three tracks and a little over 11 minutes in length, you want to hear much more and are left hanging impatiently for their next release. Hang on a second, I've been had! Smart move ladies.

For more information on Scarlett Affection, including how to purchase their E.P., go to: www.scarlettaffection.com