One of the greatest things a music-lover experiences is the discovery of a new artist so exciting, it makes the listener want to write about it. Sometimes, such jewels are found “underground” rather than mainstream media, but then again, that’s just one of the reasons why the indie scene can be so fascinating; It is a stage designed for creative people, a platform to let their art be seen, and in this case, be heard. Kiya Lacey is one of these aforementioned discoveries with her self-titled debut album
Born and raised in Nashville, Lacey is a vibrant woman who, with the creative help of Joe Croker and M. Scott Myrick, produces an eclectic mix of jazz, R&B, pop, folk, blues, and soul. In her album, Lacey displays this mix of genres, but her voice is the highlight of it all. Her singing – delightful, soulful, and magical, is the perfect soundtrack for a lazy, cozy morning, accompanied by a delicious cup of coffee. These eight tracks have a special element though that improves what is already a fine piece of work; passion.
The self-titled album begins with the piano-driven and jazz-influenced “Little Bit of Nothing” and evolves greatly by presenting bluesy rhythms on “Dandy Rich Man.” Then, the album continues to change moods and shape with acoustic & introspective atmospheres on songs like “Dancer.” Throughout out the album, one can hear Lacey showcasing a wide range of influences with sounds similar to Esperanza Spalding, Ella Fitzgerald, and Adele; a collection of names that, according to Lacey, represent some of her idols.
As Lacey’s facebook page says, she has been singing for as long as she can remember. To her, singing is as natural as breathing, and one can get the feeling that she uses her talent as a genuine form of expression. Lacey says she enjoys singing, and hopes to make other people feel inspired to create something unique. In fact, her motto is “Dare. Dare to be different. Dare to be art. Dare to inspire.”
With some tracks sounding similar, and a few not as “catchy” as others, there is a little room for improvement. Overall, it’s a pleasant listening experience and a solid debut from from a rising artist that shows great potential. We will certainly look forward to the next album from Kiya Lacey.
3.5/5 stars.
Artist: Kiya Lacey
Album: Kiya Lacey
Release Date: June 26, 2013
Genre(s): Retro R&B, Jazz, Rock
Location: Nashville, TN, USA
Pertinent Album Information: An Ella Fitzgerald Foundation award recipient, Kiya Lacey has opened for the likes of pop icon Brandy. Her debut features a veritable troupe of Nashville heavyweights—including John Jackson (Bob Dylan), Mark T. Jordan (Van Morrison), George Marinelli, (Bonnie Raitt), Marco Giovino (Robert Plant), Bones Hillman (Midnight Oil), Jack Pearson (Allman Brothers), Ken Coomer (Wilco), Kenny Vaughan (Lucinda Williams), Brian Harrison (Shelby Lynne), and Vince Santoro (Roseanne Cash).
Label: Bagatelle Arts / MM Scott Music • BMI /ASCAP
Website Link: http://joecroker.com/kiya/lacey.html
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/kiya-ife-lacey