Vocal Break

‘An essential, eclectic, authentic exploration of the politics of women's voices. I loved it! It took me ten years to go from shy young girl to punk rocker, if I'd had this book I'd have got there much quicker’

Viv Albertine

'Compelling, scholarly, rousing… Elkin writes with the intimate knowledge and the passion of one who sings, and the scholar’s measured and listening ear. A pitch-perfect book'

Harriet Baker

‘A thrilling, erudite exploration of the power of women’s voices, as artful as it is informed. The best kind of cultural criticism’

Sophie Gilbert

‘A lively and entertaining hymn to the female voice – its use, its artistry, its flaws, its triumphs, its sorrow and its rage. Elkin leaps from subject to subject with the smooth grace of a great vocalist moving between notes on a scale.’

Philippa Snow

‘A whirlwind if a book and a testament to sonic sisterhood. A compelling eclectic exploration of music from one of the finest voices of our times.’

Darran Anderson

Smart and brimful of enthusiasm, Elkin is fully tuned in to the mysteries of women’s melodies

Simple Things

Exploring the interplay of music, power and gender… Vocal Break is a book about what music is for. Elkin sees it as a way of getting at something that is just out of reach, a way of finding out who we are

Literary Review

Elkin is a skilled, versatile and intensely curious writer… [Vocal Break] is clever and original

Financial Times

At the core of this book is not just sharp analysis but a deep appreciation for singing and how it represents expression and freedom

Guardian