Tori Amos’s new album The Beekeeper is a bit of a curious animal.

Recorded in the Cornwall studio that her husband built, this has more of a ‘band’ feel than the previous albums, sometimes relegating her Bösendorfer piano to a mere accompaniment rather than the main instrument. This, together with her new toy, a B3 Hammond organ – her husband bought her one for Christmas – does however allow for more playful experimentation which on first listen only becomes appreciated halfway through this 80 minute concept album. It’s in all a much smoother album than her previous releases.

Witness is the track where everything broke through for me. An understated almost soul funk backing allows for exceptional use of the organ and subtle but effective use of the London Community Gospel Choir. Cascading vocals and a bewitching break consisting of piano, electro beats and solo vocals, like Tori of old. Then the choir comes back in. This is a radical leap for her songwriting and is both weird and exceptional.