Review by Shannon Shumaker
In this day and age, the majority of music lovers are constantly looking for something that breaks the mold or stands apart from most modern pop music, and Haley Reinhart delivers just that on her new album, Lo-Fi Soul. Timeless, soulful and sunning, Lo-Fi Soul strips Reinhart down to her core emotionally and finds her exploring her sound more than ever, with tracks ranging from soul and motown to R&B and jazz all the way to rock ‘n roll.
If this is your first time listening to Haley Reinhart, then the album’s first track, “Deep Water” is bound to hook you within seconds. Her gritty, soulful vocals sound better than ever, successfully setting the tone for the rest of the album. And if you’re a long-time fan of Reinhart’s, then it’ll be obvious right off the bat that she has honed in her signature sound more than ever on this release.
Throughout Lo-Fi Soul, Reinhart weaves easily in and out of different genres while managing to create a very cohesive release. The slower second track, “Oh Damn” couldn’t sound more different than the upbeat title track that follows, yet they sit perfectly side by side, showcasing Reinhart’s ability to mold herself to different sounds without sacrificing what makes her special. This is all while she puts on the vocal performance of a lifetime, too. “Don’t Know How to Love You,” for instance, finds Reinhart transitioning from soft, vulnerable vocals to emotional, powerful growls fast enough to make your head spin, and she makes it sound easy.
Reinhart manages to keep things interesting as the album progresses, as well. While a slower, more emotional song like “Lay It Down” would usually threaten to make the middle of the album feel sleepy, it’s surrounded by creative tracks like the acoustic-driven, “Crack The Code” and the commanding “Honey, There’s The Door.” In fact, “Honey, There’s The Door” and the following upbeat track, “Broken Record” manage to completely change the tone of the album before it comes to an end.
With Lo-Fi Soul, Haley Reinhart manages to take timeless sounds and generes and gives them an exciting, modern twist that other artists haven’t begun to touch yet. The album is incredibly unique, but also promises to withstand the test of time while leaving you hanging on her every word.
LISTEN TO: “Oh Damn” or “Don’t Know How to Love You”
STAY CONNECTED WITH HALEY REINHART: https://www.facebook.com/HaleyReinhart/
1 Comment
Wonderful review & Fantastic album called ‘Lo-Fi Soul’ by Haley E. Reinhart….(thank u for reviewing Shannon from the Prelude Press)