(Photo courtesy of Caroline Spence)Caroline Spence broke onto the music scene this Tuesday, showcasing poetic lyrics and a unique thought provoking style in her debut album “Somehow.”
Upon purchasing the album, I stereotypically imagined an upbeat banjo type feel, as Spence is considered a folk artist. However, this artist delivered something quite different from my assumptions. It was something I have yet to hear on mainstream radio, and have yet to ever hear before.
The first track on the album, “Trains Cry,” has a haunting start with elongated vocal notes that is initially quite striking.
Spence has been recognized by numerous critics for her ability to write impressive lyrics that are wise beyond her age of 25.
Music is considered to be poetry that is sang, but Spence brings that to an entirely new level. Most songs on the radio wouldn’t appear poetic if transcribed on paper. However, Spence’s lyrics could pass for a book of elegant poetry.
Her slower, deeper tunes are reminiscent of the strong, feminine emotion of poets such as Sylvia Plath.
Not only that, but each track has the power to evoke a substantial change in mood upon the listener, which, is a major purpose of music.
Whether you’re driving in your car, or zoned out with earbuds in, Spence's songs make you feel as if you are reaching a pivotal point in your life, and her music is there to back up your crossroad.
Hope and inspiration is what her music imposes on the listener. Each song feels like a soothing lullaby to consume on rainy days and late, thought-provoking nights.
Her voice is raw, yet angelic, as showcased in “Hard Headed, Hard Hearted.” I found that to be most of her appeal. The raw emotion in her lyrics coupled with her raw voice that seems to be unedited makes her feel accessible.
She feels less like a major artist and more like a freelance musician in a coffee shop that you admire deeply in an entirely different way. Even the album cover itself is simple, as if it is a preview of the meditative tracks within.
There isn’t any song in particular that stands out more than its 12 other partners that make up “Somehow,” but “One Little Song” stood out to me as the most quote worthy song on the album. I can see girls posting Facebook statuses and tweeting out lyrics from this track now.
Spence’s excellence in songwriting has not gone unnoticed. In 2013, Spence won "American Songwriter Magazine’s" June/July lyric contest as well as the Rocky Mountain Folks Fest songwriter competition.
With talent of this magnitude, her success seems guaranteed, although she has just recently broken into the music scene after moving to Nashville from her native town in Virginia.
Spence is an artist beyond worth listening to, and her album “Somehow” deserves much more attention and praise than it is currently receiving. It is a rarity to find lyrics so reminiscent of literature and poetry, and that simple fact makes Spence worthy of infinite praise as an artist.
Did you buy Caroline Spence's "Somehow"? Tell the reporter your favorite track at dpharias@asu.edu or follow @dpharias on Twitter.
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