Birdy has finally landed on American shores.

The 15-year-old singer (aka Jasmine van den Bogaerde) was briefly here this past week, performing on both Ellen and Conan to celebrate the U.S. release of her self-titled debut. Out since last November in the UK and elsewhere, Birdy is a nearly all-covers affair, featuring tunes familiar and markedly less so from the likes of Bon Iver, The xx, The National, Fleet Foxes, James Taylor, The Naked And Famous, and more. The set also sports one original song written by Birdy, “Without A Word” (a free download via iTunes).

Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love” served as Birdy’s introduction on her talk-show tour, but it’s current UK single, a cover of Phoenix’s “1901” that has my attention. Slowing down the tempo of the French synth rockers’ 2009 breakthrough tune, “1901” nests comfortably in Birdy’s beyond-her-years voice, with piano, guitar, and some twinkly bits providing atmospheric support.

The vocal-less last minute is the sound of destruction and rebirth. Like a phoenix, see:

Birdy’s debut also includes a phenomenal rendition of The Postal Service’s “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight.” Birdy may be just 15, but the arrival of this young triller thrills me.

Purchase Birdy – “1901” (Phoenix cover) via iTunes, Amazon MP3.