BY BASSEY ETIM-EDET

FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR

Two years ago, Marie Digby became an Internet sensation when she uploaded a YouTube video of her covering Rihanna's "Umbrella."

Now on her second U.S. album, "Breathing Underwater," Digby can't wait to prove to the world that she's more than just a girl with a guitar.

In a recent phone interview, Digby opened up about her departure from the indie music scene. "I wanted to keep it honest, and for it to reflect my life and what I went through," she said.

"But I also wanted everything musically to change. I felt it might be a risk, but it was something I needed to do now--and I wanted to have beats and for the production to be more lush."

Compared to her first album, "Breathing Underwater" explodes with pop tracks, but it still maintains the same pensive and emotional lyrics that originally landed her fans.

However, Digby wants to make it clear that deep down she's still the same girl. "It's just as 'me' as the first [album], except I didn't really have the guts to do it the first time around. It's so easy, especially as a singer-songwriter, to fall into this very acoustic sound. I wanted to challenge myself to take those songs that do work in a stripped-down way and see if they still have life when there is more going on behind it."

The affable and modest Digby readily admits that she had to conquer a little self-doubt to make her new album.

"I was so scared because I wanted to make an album that would please all the fans, but I knew that wasn't necessarily possible--how could I please every single person? I was also scared because I didn't know if I had the vocal chops to sing anything but acoustic," she said.

Jumping through the songs on "Breathing Underwater" will easily prove that Digby had nothing to worry about. She is confident and strong from beginning to end.

On "Avalanche" the album's first single, Digby's vocal cords soar with the beats.

On "Feel"--Digby's favorite track--her voice carries the heavy emotion of the lyrics, beautifully pleading for her subject to show her that he can feel.