On The Download: Christina Perri’s ‘Lovestrong’

There’s nothing like discovering a new artist — unearthing an undiscovered gem whose impact leaves more than just memories of a catchy hook or glossy package. With Christina Perri, I feel like I’ve found a sparkling diamond.

I’ve always been drawn to female singer/songwriters who pour their hearts out with lush melodies and powerfully heartfelt lyrics. Ingrid Michaelson, Tori Amos, Rachael Yamagata and Sarah McLachlan are longtime favorites.

With her first full-length album “Lovestrong,” Christina is right up there with the very best of them.

I’m a sucker for a really great heartbreaking song, and there are some fantastic ones on this album.

Her first single, “Jar of Hearts” (a song about a heartless ex-lover who has the gall to think that he can have her back) has already had some chart success. But, there’s another song that should shoot her to superstardom: her in-your-face break-up cut “Bang Bang Bang.”

It’s just as much fun as any of Fiona Apple’s great ‘take-that-you-jerk’ tunes (like “Sleep To Dream”), and if you ever felt wronged by someone, it’s sure to get you dancing that fool right out of your mind.

That said, Christina isn’t all about being spurned by a lover. She also has some sweet love ballads.

“Arms” is instantly infectious and sing-able. It’s the type of song that puts you in the mood for love, and if you’ve already found that someone special, it makes you want to rush into their embrace and get lost.

And then there’s a song like “Penguin” that instantly hit a chord with me. When my fiancée and I went on a memorable trip last year, we saw two adorable penguins cuddling together on a beach, and my sweetheart leaned over and whispered, “Hey, it’s us.” We both know that even if we were penguins we’d find one another across the oceans. I cherish that moment, and now we have a delightful tune that captures it.

Christina also knows how to tug at the heartstrings with elegant, melancholy songs (I have a soft spot for those too).

Sorrow rarely sounded so magnificent than with the sweeping “The Lonely” and “Sad Song,” perfectly captures that feeling of needing to emote even if no one is listening.

If Adele’s album, “21,” about heartbreak can remain at the top of the charts for a record number of weeks, there must be room for Christina’s wonderfully touching and beautiful “Lovestrong.”

Discover Christina Perri. Just prepare to be moved.