Zee Avi
(Brushfire)
It takes an extremely talented songwriter to create visions of beaches and sunsets through sound but still manage to deliver a deep and haunting lyrical message to listeners. Be prepared for Zee Avi. The songstress is making the most of her opportunity to sport new material on Brushfire Records by displaying her unique voice and soft sound, which ranges from freelance jazz to hints of island folk-rock. While the music may carry the vibe of a tropical isle, her voice and story-telling techniques convey difficult everyday situations, revealing the vulnerabilities of life.
With an opening song like "Bitter Heart," where Avi describes the emotional roller-coaster of a love gone wrong while strumming upbeat-poppy rhythms, listeners are assured of a relaxing journey. Others like "Just You and Me" and "I Am Me Once More" add flavor with arbitrary horn solos that soothe the ears and meld perfectly with Avi's powerful voice.
"Poppy," easily one of the standout tracks on the album, grabs the attention instantly from the first clicks of Avi's fingers - don't be surprised if you find this tune floating around your head for days - and proceeds to tells the story of a lost soul who loses his footing and wanders away from those he loves. Quotes like "he lost that smile he had before" and "slapping his veins" bring a tremendous amount of visual interpretation on the part of the listener and creates an instant connection to the artist, displaying the amount of emotional dedication Avi put into the album for the audience.
Avi's self-titled debut shares stories of the struggles and glories of life mixed together with the gentle, tranquil resonances of acoustic guitars, ukuleles and sporadic snares. She blends perfectly with other artists on Brushfire Records' roster, and it can only get better from here for this emerging web sensation as she grasps the realities of becoming a professional artist and continues to charm her listeners.
Standout Tracks: "Poppy," "Kantoi, Honey Bee" MATTHEW RECCHIA
