OFFICIAL: http://www.juliamcdonaldmusic.com/
Written
by David Shouse, posted by blog admin
Keyboard-driven
synth pop is the order of the day from singer/songwriter Julia McDonald. The 19 year old sounds as good as any of the
big leaguers on her debut EP, Gravity. It’s evident from the rich textures and
layered arrangements on the title track, that Julia is a force to be reckoned
with. Well-spaced keyboard twinkles,
sparse acoustic guitar strum and McDonald’s quaking vibrato get things off to a
captivating start, holding interest until the tune picks up with booming
percussion and a deep well of cosmic keyboards that are spearheaded in by the
singer’s dramatic rise in vocal volume.
Eventually, the tune settles on a swirling, mid-tempo pop number that’s
exotic as it is infectious.
The
dance-y “Games” benefits from rapid fire, near rapped vocals that end up as an
exciting stream of consciousness flow bouncing atop tropical drum beats and
energetic guitar runs. This song is a
testament to Julia’s vocal ability, the strengths of her songwriting and the
exciting working relationship she possesses with producer/co-writer Tavie
Basarich. A simple, pop-inflected chorus
jets this piece into the stratosphere and renders it the catchiest track of the
entire bunch. “Pretty Committee” has a
dipping, undulating r & b flavor cresting on a smooth groove beat and
trippy bass lines while the lyrics attack the popular make-up crowd with
hurried vocal melodies that have plenty of smarts.
Piano
opens “No Good for Me” as it layers more and more synthesizers onto the
foundation with each passing measure of the verse until the chorus gives way in
melodic key splashes and hearty soul vocals.
Another standout takes shape in the acoustic sweetness of “Something to
talk about,” a more rock-leaned piece where the percussion stomps and the verse
grooves shapeshift into an ethereal chorus.
Closer “Simpler Things” incorporates pure dub and electronica into the
mix with the kind of pulse that would light up a rave in the wee hours of the
morning as everyone gets ready to head home.
Gravity is a charming,
affecting EP from Julia McDonald that bullies pop into something greater thanks
to its street smarts. The songwriting
utilizes bits and pieces of other genres for effect, while McDonald’s voice sound
great whether working up an endless, rhyming flow or going to the heart of the
lyric in a soulful croon. If you’re
tired of by the numbers sugar sweet pop, Julia McDonald’s music is an exciting
discovery because it isn’t afraid to draw from multiple genres and thread them
into an intricately woven fabric.
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