It’s hard to imagine that Natalie Walker once fronted the electronic band Daughter Darling, since her vocals lend more of a troubled-soul sound to her first solo effort, Urban Angel. Continuing in the tradition of other female singer/songwriters such as Beth Orton, Sarah MacLachlan and Fiona Apple, Walker braves cold fronts with dark clouds in her vocals.

She cites vacancy and loneliness in the title track, her ability to get through a breakup in “Quicksand” and trouble dealing with her feelings in “Faith.” Walker vacillates between suffering and healing; her gossamer sound is comforting while indicating longing—assuring listeners that although she sounds sweet, she’s never saccharine. Without sounding trite, Urban Angel is one of those wonderful albums to sit at home while it rains and sing along to while painting your nails after a break-up. Yeah, you get the picture.

Like many other recent artists, Walker’s growing popularity can be attributed to the fact that her music has found its way to the small screen. Last month, the track “No One Else” was sampled in “Entourage” while Vince (portrayed by Adrian Grenier) and his girlfriend went shopping in L.A. Soon after, her single for “Quicksand” debuted at No. 15 on the “iTunes U.S. Electronic” chart.

Clearly, Walker wanted her first solo effort to show how well she can relate to her audience. Her hauntingly romantic, gothic-influenced sound is reminiscent of Portishead or Evanescence, giving all those who miss female artists from the ’90s an outlet—without the need of black shrouds. Of course, being that this is a New York audience, another wardrobe choice might be unlikely anyway.

Opening for Rodrigo y Gabriela, Sept. 26. S.O.B.’s, 204 Varick St. (at W. Houston St.), 212-243-4940; 6:30, $20/$22.