Venturing into new artistic territory, Without Wax, Neah Lee's sophomore album, showcases a highly developed brand of songwriting, revealing an artist's heart that desires to be transparent and accessible to the listener.

Refusing to confine herself to the proven, folk-rock formula of her debut record [In]significance, Neah displays her growth as a songwriter with an astounding knack for drawing from an incredibly diverse musical palette. "Home," full of bold personality and jazzy attitude, is sure to raise eyebrows from the outset of the album. While remaining true to her acoustic folk-rock roots on "Lover's Lament," she displays a rarely seen- before versatility in a singer-songwriter, from the rollicking jam of "Undone" to the ethereal vibe of the wistful "Farewell." The R&B tinged "Beautiful Surprise" simply grooves, and the powerful piano ballad "Ezekiel" is poignant and moving.

The talented Koo Chung, behind the boards, smartly delivers tight production that complements and preserves the character and spirit of Lee's songs without being overly slick. Appropriately, she is allowed to spread her artistic wings, truly displaying her gifts as a skilled vocalist who expertly controls her dynamics across a variety of styles. Featuring a stellar supporting cast of musicians (Patrick Andriantsialonina, Jimmy Choi, Jonathan Chu (Todd Agnew Band), Eli Menezes, and Paul Rhee) "Without Wax" is full of impressive performances and tight arrangements that inspire and engage the listener.