Review by Shannon Shumaker
Acadia’s sophomore EP, All Heart is the definition of powerful. Comprised of six emotional and heartfelt tracks about life, love and the hardships that come along with a meaningful relationship, the aptly titled All Heart finds vocalist Jameson Trudel wearing his heart on his sleeve.
It’s hard to choose the strongest track on this short release, as each song stands out for its own reasons. Opening track, “Raymond Arthur,” for instance, tells a story of resilience and strength both lyrically and musically. Near the halfway mark, the song completely transforms into something very touching and uplifting. It is followed by the simplistic and stunning love song, “Callisto.” This personal track is a window into the life of someone else, and if you’ve ever been in love, then it’ll touch you as well. Contrasting with “Callisto” a few songs later is “Dryspell,” which touches on something that many artists don’t cover: the struggles of a long term relationship, from arguments to intimacy problems and the fear of losing the “spark.”
Accompanying the intimate and vulnerable lyricism on All Heart are some incredibly raw vocals from Trudel. Throughout these songs, you can really feel the emotion in his voice, which is only amplified by stunning guitar work and a sound that falls somewhere between Have Mercy and Boston Manor. The massive “Palisades” is a testament to the band’s songwriting abilities, as it quickly transforms from a slower song into an emotional anthem, complete with incredible dual vocals.
All Heart is an intimate look at Acadia, carried by striking vocal harmonies, dynamic guitar work and vulnerable lyricism that’ll leave you feeling like you really know the band. These songs are personal and even uncomfortable at times, but by the time the EP comes to an end, you’ll feel changed for the better. And thankfully, it seems there’s light at the end of the tunnel for Acadia, too.
LISTEN TO: “Palisades” or “Callisto”
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