Stevie Parker, Hope, Amelia Lappert

If you went to a party with British newcomer Stevie Parker, you would not find her at the center of the dance floor, or even chatting with strangers at the bar. Instead, you might spot the 24-year-old leaning against a wall on the periphery of the room, her bleach-blonde hair pulled back with stray strands framing her face, scanning the scene with bright green eyes.

You’d want to approach her—and when you did, she wouldn’t shrink. She’d meet you halfway, hand extended, and introduce herself with a shy yet self-assured smile. In life, Parker is both a keen observer and an active participant, moving through the world with a quiet charisma. In her music, she’s the same — and “The Cure,” the atmospheric first single (and title track) from her debut album The Cure (May 5, Virgin EMI Records), is the perfect introduction.