Beware! The first time you listen to this album your head might blow up. Abbe May is 100% rock, and her third album, Design Desire, needs to be handled with the utmost care.

From the seemingly endless talent pool of Western Australia (I'm sure the government has put steroids in the water), Abbe is a prolific writer, having already released a pair of EPs as well as her critically acclaimed full-length Howl and Moan (2008). Along the way, she's also managed to make time for numerous tours, as well as appearing at the South Bound, Homebake, and Big Day Out festivals. Given the aforementioned musical talent, it's telling that Abbe has taken out the West Australian Music Industry Award for Best Female Vocalist an unprecedented four years running.

Design Desire oozes quality. Sometimes dominant, often sultry, always haunting, Abbe has perfected the art of dark blues rock on this album. Abbe has set off on "an emotive exploration of human desire at its most fundamental level," and this raw energy has been faultlessly harnessed for eleven tracks.

The album's first single, "Mammalian Locomotion" is a beautiful contradiction. Abbe switches from powerful riffs to tempered, almost angelic vocals, in order to portray her interpretation of the two sides of femininity "“- fierceness and subtlety. Title track "Design Desire" also highlights her ability to use musical ebbs and flows to entice the listener in before trapping them in one of her patented guitar explosions when they least expect it. The latest single, "Taurus Chorus," has just been let loose on the Australian public to coincide with the album release, and is bound to continue widening the admiration for this musical force.

CAUTION, WATCH YOUR HEAD, ACHTUNG BABY! Abbe May is out to get you; I would advise you to let yourself be caught.

Tracks by Abbe May