For a woman in the early stages of her career, Jenny O. has made quite a name for herself. The Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter, who like the author is a Long Island native, has managed to seamlessly transition to the life on the West Coast. She’s made a name for herself within the notoriously insulated L.A. music scene and has become one of the must-see singer/songwriters in the city.

Like many singer/songwriters, Jenny O. relies on her lyrics and pipes, but unlike the many who often times are either A) boring or B) non-descript, there’s a lot to like about Jenny O. and she’s received accolades for standing out from the pack. Her honey-smooth vocals along with brutally honest observations on life along with beautifully visual lyrics have made her a favorite of both critics and serious music fans. That’s not to say that anyone who doesn’t listen isn’t an insider, but she’s on the cusp of becoming one of the better singer/songwriters to emerge from the city in sometime.

First noticed after landing a spot on the Rave On Buddy Holly tribute album with the likes of Paul McCartney, Cee Lo Green, Patti Smith and Lou Reed, Jenny O. really got people’s attention in 2011 with the release of her debut EP, Home. Outlets including NPR, New York Times and Los Angeles Times all praised it as blending charming folk-pop and with simplistic, yet befitting instrumentation. If that weren’t enough, her songs were licensed to TV shows like True Blood and Wilfred and have been featured on commercials for brands like Subaru, J. Crew and Target. Not too bad for someone who hadn’t released her debut full-length.

She may be known for these placements and featured spots, Jenny O. isn’t exactly a slouch when it comes to touring either. She’s opened for Father John Misty, Rodriguez, Leon Russell, Ben Harper and Dave Matthews’ Caravan, also has appeared at Petty Fest, which brought some of the biggest names in the New York scene out west to pay tribute to Tom Petty and raise money for Sweet Relief. In high profile shows, Jenny O. more than held her own and even outshined some of the bigger names on the lineup (referring to Petty Fest), earning her accolades from fans and musicians alike.

As we reviewed earlier this week, her debut album Automechanic is certainly a step in the right direction. While it is a bit slow at times, her talent shines through with her intricate lyrics and voice that’s reminiscent of Stevie Nicks and Dusty Springfield. No matter how you cut it, Jenny O. is an artist on the rise and in due time, music fans will catch on to the simplistic brilliance that is Jenny O.