At 21-years-old, Hilary McRae may be younger than most of her singer-songwriter peers, but her Hear Music debut Through These Walls is steeped in the tradition of '60s and '70s hit-makers such as Stevie Wonder and Chicago.

From the opening track, "Every Day (When Will You Be Mine)," McRae pays homage to the funk of yesteryear with a chunky beat and horn blasts that lead to an uplifting chorus. This is all infused with youthful energy and an authoritative voice. Check out the video and see for yourself.

The other tracks, such as "Consider Me Gone" (free download) and "Hostage," pulsate with both vulnerability and attitude. Also on the disc are more mellow cuts like "Love Song For You," a sweetly simple ode, and "Only Light," which features a laid-back congo accompaniment to McRae's Sade-like vocals.

McRae admits most of the songs come from heartbreak. She said, "I definitely got my heart stomped on more than once. That's probably why these songs are so raw."

No stranger to the business, the Florida native previously toured as keyboardist and backing vocalist in Latin sensation Christian Castro's band. As part of the Hear Music family, she joins other singer/songwriter labelmates Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. Through These Walls is available April 15.

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