English singer-songwriter Gabrielle Aplin’s newest EP English Rain has been released in the U.S. and it’s a treat.
The most that I’d truly invested into the singer before had been an odd obsession with her song “Start of Time”. Full discretion: this obsession was spurred after it played during a kiss between two characters on Teen Wolf that left me swooning. Yet another example of how music and imagery can be a visceral experience.
After listening to her newest EP I can easily call myself a fan. With infectious vocals and hints of female vocalist favorites such as Joni Mitchell and Alanis Morissette she proves to be a highly playable artist. Her cover of Mitchell’s “A Case of You” is a particular highlight. She croons the lyrcis-spinning the song just enough so it isn’t a carbon copy.
Compared to her other earlier projects “English Rain: hints at more substance; a previously lacking maturity in the 21-year-olds music.
With only 6 songs to dig into it’s obvious you might want more or find it slight but it gives enough of an imprint to see what kind of musician she is.
With lines such as “…please don’t say you love me because I might not say it back” the lyric stylings are aimed at a younger crowd but considering her own age it’s fitting. You write what you know and I can easily see teens identifying with what she’s saying.
“Home” is the easy highlight of the album. It breaks the structure of the songs leading up to it-the verse tempo builds straight up into the rousing chorus. It’s a full sound that beautifully complements the purity of her vocals.
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There’s a youthful energy to her songs that click and make for great summer listening. Summer love, days at the beach, thunder storms or warm summer rain: Aplin has provided a soundtrack for those days ahead.
“Salvation” exemplifies this ideology. “And let the band play on as I’m making my way home again.” Despite the melancholy tone that the music hints at there is something hopeful about the song. It’s piano heavy-keeping a constant theme throughout its entirety-and as the bridge swells to a fast paced, uplifting beat you’re fully on board.
The EP is bookended by fitting songs. The first, “Panic Chord” is energetic and lively-inviting the listener in while “The Power of Love” is slower but no less interesting, and is a great counterpart for how the album started off.
I look forward to what the future holds for Aplin-she has something, some quality, that’s definitely worth listening to. Check out her music video for her song “Salvation” below.
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8/10
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