Thanks to GiveandGo for tipping me off about this extraordinary young singer-songwriter.
I don't think there is much to say here about the talented and 24-year-old Kina Grannis, making her way through YouTube, because her music speaks for itself. There isn't much use talking about the obvious things, like her beautifully delicious voice, or her mastery of her chosen instruments. I'll leave it at this:
1) She's lovely and adorable. I mean, look at her! Unaffected, unselfconscious, down-to-earth, totally chilled out. She definitely falls in the category of Women I Would Totally Date, If I Were a Dude. Not to mention, she gives Jason Mraz a run for his money on the ukelele in "Back to Us."
2) She's fearless and playful. Makeup mishaps notwithstanding, she goes out of her way to connect with fans in "Stars Falling Down."
3) For the most part, her 'originals' are way better than her covers. One exception is this fantastic cover of the "White Winter Hymnal" by Fleet Foxes, performed with a couple of her friends. It reminds me a little of the gorgeous music made by the Sisters of Kuumba at Harvard.
4) I can't pick a favorite. Seriously, every one of her original songs are totally solid, if not outstanding and repeat-worthy. Here's "Make Me," the introspective and slightly melancholy one from GiveandGo's posterous that got me hooked: