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Written
by Pamela Bellmore, posted by blog admin
Natalie
Estes’ future is certain. This is a vocalist and performer who will impress
everyone from young music listeners all of the way to experienced devotees of
top shelf pop tunes. Her four song EP 20/20 Vision covers an astonishing amount
of ground despite its short running time and she strikes a commanding presence
from the outset. It’s a likewise immaculately produced affair that presents her
as the center of everything, yet emphasizes quality instrumentation surrounding
her and presents everything in a nicely balanced fashion. It’s an outstanding
all around effort for a talented Nashville native who has made waves with whomever
she’s encountered. The EP’s recording at the Los Angeles House of Blues
illustrates her ever growing profile and she’s clearly surrounded herself with
some of the best talents working today in the music industry.
“Until
I Do” is a memorable opener. It begins with a light piano tinkle before
segueing into an evocative vocal melody. Estes’ voice is far from all
atmospherics however – her exceptional vocal phrasing ties in very well with
the steady build given to this opener. There’s certainly a strong pop influence
driving this work, but there’s nicely understated bluesy tone in her voice that
makes the struggles and triumphs depicted in her songs ring with unquestionable
sincerity. It sets up the second track very well. “Where’s There’s Smoke There’s
Fire” draws out her most powerful vocal yet and she fortunately enjoys the
benefits of a musical arrangement and crack playing that matches her intensity
every step of the way. I’d arguably have flipped the running order and began
the EP with this track, moving “Until I Do” to the second slot, but it’s a
minor quibble. If there was nothing else of value on 20/20 Vision, this song
alone would make it worth the price of purchase.
“Reminds
Me of You” has a laidback feel driven by tasteful guitars and a appropriately played
vocal from Estes. One of the more remarkable things about this performer is the
sure hand she shows for how much force to put behind her performances despite
her youth and relative inexperience. Some singers, male and female alike naturally,
just come out of the gate swinging and she’s definitely one. The song “Bad Game”
concludes the EP on a romping, faintly R&B note with hard driving drums and
a deliriously joyful vocal from Estes. This is a performer who clearly revels
in her ability to sing and get inside a song. This talent enables her to put a
vivid exclamation point on this release and, if the merits of the collection
are any indication, she is poised for a remarkable future.
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