Australia's number one country artist returns with one of her most ambitious albums to date, the exquisite "Dragonfly", which may just be one of the finest albums of her career - and with her impressive back catalogue, that's saying something.
Long time readers of "Internal Jukebox" will know my love of Kasey Chambers, I fangirl hard over her brilliance, and see her live whenever I can. She is my favourite Australian artist and is very high on my list of all time favourite artists. And how fantastic she has released another brilliant album that has given her a much deserved fifth Australian number one album.
It's brave to release a double album of new work, you are saying I have enough good material for two albums. Some have failed with this approach, not Kasey. The double album is brilliant, especially as they were recorded in two different locations with two different producers, brother Nash for one and Aussie icon Paul Kelly for the other.
Since Kasey's throat surgery, her voice has grown and has more character. For a woman who already has one of the most distinctive voices around to step up her sound, you know she is a musical genius. This album feels like a beautiful next step from the fabulous, "Bittersweet" album. This is the evolution of country music, a seamless mixing of genres - a bit pop, a bit rock, a bit bluesy and a bit folk, just to name a few.
First single, "Ain't No Little Girl" was the perfect introduction to this new album. It's beautifully brash while being incredibly smooth. Kasey's voice is ridiculously good, those notes are the best she's ever hit and she sounds better than ever.
Second single, "Satellite", feels like the opposite end of book ends. It has a poppier and more playful sound. It almost sounds like a modern adaption of a song from the "Carnival" album. At its heart, it's a very sweet tune with some great lyrics. Love the end of the chorus, "I like that I love you". It makes this jaded heart feel all warm and fuzzy.
Amongst the other tunes, there are some real gems. Pre-released, the beautiful "If We Had a Child" with Keith Urban and the self deprecatingly honest, "Talkin' Baby Blues" fit perfectly on this album. "Pompeii" has a remarkable ease, while "Jonestown" has a subtle beauty. "Romeo + Juliet" is melancholic and intense; while "Summer Pillow" has delicate and vulnerable vocals mixed perfectly with a great lazy drum beat.
"This is a Gonna Be a Long Year" is the kind of song Kasey does well, it builds with intense passion and is refreshingly honest and passionate. "Shackle & Chain" is another one of the gospel inspired tunes that Kasey does well, while title track "Dragonfly" is a hurried slice of pop that is perfect for summer. Plus there's "Annabelle", a song that fills my heart with such joy!
The duets on the album are world class. Besides the already mentioned Keith Urban, Kasey has collaborated with Paul Kelly, Vika & Linda Bull, Foy Vance, Harry Hookey and Grizzlee Train. Kasey has always excelled with collaborations and she does it once more.
"Dragonfly" shows that Kasey Chambers is still firmly on top of her game. As a self described "40 year old mother of three", she shows us that she is not ready to merely rest on the success of her previous work - she still has something important to say. "Dragonfly" will no doubt be one of the best albums of 2017.
No comments:
Post a Comment