Laura Kidd is a multi-instrumentalist who employs a DIY ethos under the moniker of She Makes War. Besides her trustworthy co-producer Myles Clarke and contributions from Bass (from Djevara) and harpist Kat Arney, Kidd created Disarm alone in a studio in Hackney, and self-released it back in September 2010.

It’s clear Kidd hasn’t let her convictions disrupt her high standard of work. Her sublime grunge pop continues to coil and twist around the heartstrings of her fan base, and for the past twelve months music industry professionals have used their clout to strengthen Kidd’s career. The support she’s found has led to the re-release of Disarm this summer.

Established fans usually have the advantage of retrospect, but in She Makes War’s case the newly initiated have the upper hand, because they can experience everything, all at once. Last year Kidd put together a series of videos featuring her songs and artwork as an incentive to fans. Although they installed a revived interest amongst her followers, their gradual release was ill advised. The visuals form an integral part of She Makes War’s concept and, as they advocate her sound, the album would have benefited from their immediate release. Ultimately Disarm is a multi-media project, and those that found her music before her artwork had a hindered experience.

Laden with bright colours, dashed with glitter and tainted by a foggy haze, the physical side of Disarm represents Kidd’s crystalline, melancholy vocal well. The combination of 1990s infused rock, sneered vivacity and cinematic beauty is best demonstrated on the neurotic ‘I Am’. Elsewhere the threatening pout of ‘Let This Be’ is aided by marching clowns, and Kidd uses cardboard cut outs to represent a sinking ship on the video for ‘Scared to Capsize’. Because her lyrics are straightforward the videos can be unnecessarily literal, but the skills Kidd has utilised to match her music with other forms of art proves she’s more than just another girl with a guitar.

Her choice of instrument also affects the record: a ukulele for ‘Scared to Capsize’ and ‘ghostandshadows’, two tracks that appeal to Kidd’s compassionate and approachable demeanour. An electric guitar is brought in for most of Disarm, and empowering tracks like ‘No Fireworks’ and ‘Olympian’ are eagerly accepted by the melodramatic teenager in us all. Sometimes this appeal to the khol in our soul sits uncomfortably on adult shoulders, and it’s a strong case not to watch the videos, but Kidd frequently finds the balance between musical aptitude and evoking human emotion.

The rate at which Disarm and its associated visual projects have developed is alarming – few musicians can write material so versatile that their progression seems never ending. No one has complained Kidd is reusing old stock, simply because her wears are so good in the first instance. Not that we’ll have to wait long for fresh bate – She Makes War’s as-of-yet-untitled second album is already underway, following a warm reception on Pledge Music.