Ms. Frost’s is still concerned with love, nostalgia, and loss. It would be very easy for her to traffic in confessional songs, or emotional rants. Similarly, she might confide in us, only to wink self-consciously at her vulnerable side being exposed. But she doesn’t, and one can only hope this album inspires others to follow her lead. Her voice is honest and self-doubting, a country girl with her own sense of morality, her own sense of religion, and a wonderful ear. Her songwriting reminds me of the Velvet Underground songs collected on The Velvet Underground: VU, released in 1985, the album with “Stephanie Says”, “Lisa Says”, and “I’m Sticking With You”, among other things. Indeed, the title track “Wonder Wonder” is eerily reminiscent of Moe Tucker’s effort on “I’m Sticking With You”. At other times, Ms. Frost sounds like Liz Phair if she had stuck to writing pop gems like “Supernova” and “Flower”.

Ultimately, Ms. Frost belongs in an elite group of magical songwriters working today. Some of them share the same label, Drag City. Her voice is timeless and her songs reach well beyond the usual bullshit of alcohol and isolation and love gone awry. It is not enough to feel bad, nor is it enough to learn how to strum a guitar and take a couple of voice lessons. Talent like Ms. Frost comes along a few times a generation, pressurized for a time in her heart and mind, and finally buffed up like a diamond for us to consider. This is not an album of folk songs or ballads or country numbers or angry rockers. This is Ms. Frost’s music, and for Christmas I want more.