Sunday, 3 May 2015
‘Charlie Leavy’ EP Review ‘The Best Damn Ride’
Charlie Leavy is one of the singer/songwriters to be admired. With over 100 songs recorded and having spent a lot of her time travelling and playing shows wherever she can Charlie shows no sign of letting up. Currently quiet due to being a student as well we take a look at the Charlie’s first EP ‘The Best Damn Ride’.
Opening track ‘The Way Life Is’ is a well polished song holding a cool groove throughout. It’s the perfect song to introduce Charlie and her sound. The upbeat acoustic has great changes in tempo from a vocal aspect. The best part of the song is the honest story it tells us. “I don’t know why, this is the way life is…” is the main line that carries the chorus and runs us through various political and general issues that humans seem to hold at the forefront of their minds instead of looking at the bigger picture.
Second track ‘Tongue Tied’ is a beautifully pieced together song that shows off Charlies incredible voice at it’s best. Both this song and ‘Falter Baby’ are similar in their structure of upbeat and energetic songs. The songs bring the EP to life as two of the most catchy songs that stick in the listeners head.
‘Summers Day Runaway’ shows a slightly darker, less upbeat performance though still keeps up the energy of the EP. It stands as a song that is more mezmerizing than it is a sing-along. It is great in showing that Charlie has more in her arsenal than just happy upbeat acoustics.
‘Running My Mouth’ is strong in terms of it’s clever songwriting that again takes shape in the form of a fast-paced acoustic. The song is simple yet effective and I’m sure works really well live without any extra instruments aside from vocals and guitar. At this point in the EP I find myself in a complete state of chilled out happiness (Thanks Charlie).
‘Wearing Your Kiss’ and ‘Why Are You Waiting’ are both live tracks that sit as the last two songs on the EP. Where I am not normally fond of live music on a produced record I actually really enjoy these tracks on the EP, partly because it is hard to tell they are live recordings! The songs showcase Charlie and her guitar without any production or studio editing and present her in her simplest and rawest form. It is at this point that you really realise the pure talent that she has and hats off to that! Her absolutely stunning voice carries the tracks and has the listener completely in her palm from start to finish.
The EP is a small taste of some of the best songs Charlie Leavy has released throughout her time as an artist. It’s more of a collection of honest tales and is a beautifully genuine account of life and in particular her account of life so far. How this girl manages to fit in shows, recording and A levels is beyond me but again hats off! Charlie Leavy is quite simply naturally talented and that comes few and far between in the music scene nowadays! Keep doing what your doing!