Author: Demi

On a frigid January evening, with the purple shadows of the Rocky Mountains encompassing me; I entered a small basement in Breckenridge. Anticipation overcame me as my ears eagerly waited to devour the tones of Citizen Cope. There were no seats in the little room and I had the privilege of standing right next to the mic. I was so close, when Cope took his rightful place behind the microphone, acoustic guitar in tow; I could feel the energy vibrating off of him. It seemed fitting that he was so high on a cocktail of who knows what drugs. His music is like a narcotic, the hard ones, that addict you after the first hit. I’m not the only one he effects this way, when his gritty raw melodies wafted out into the crowd…there was not one person who didn’t become entranced. With Citizen, you can tell music is honestly his most powerful dependence. The vice that has helped him endure the stories he depicts. Tales of pain, enlightenment, love, sorrow, exuberance, and depression. Tales that are to vibrantly real to be myths. You’ve probably heard Cope before without knowing. He’s not an artist cut from the mainstream cloth(hence why Cope records and produces for his own label, Rainwater Recordings) but many of his songs have drifted into pop culture’s arena. “Let the Drummer Kick”, seems to be the song that received the most recognition, having been featured on several soundtracks and even commercials. However, Cope’s aresnal is loaded with musical artillery. “Sideways” knocked me off my feet, my family found it during a dark period when we were attempting to cope with the loss of a family member. Nothing, resonated more with me in those dim moments than that song. His voice, was the physical representation of the pain we felt. The heartache he conveyed, carried the healing I was seeking. Through that song, I felt understood; without even having to speak. That was the beginning of my dependence on Citizen Cope, now deeply ingrained in me. Now, I go to Cope when I’m sad, when I’m frustrated, when I’m in need of liberation; and he converses with me. I take my emotions to him and he funnels my feelings through the siphon that is his penetrating vocal power. Never, has there been a time I didn’t leave Citizen Cope feeling better than when I came to him. It’s the kind of unlimited understanding that is reliable, Cope’s lyrical versatility has a malleability able to maintain relevance. So no matter how your feeling, Citizen has the tune to match your mood, and soothe whatever ails you. I suggest you plan a meeting with him soon, and I’m sure it won’t take long for you to develop the same kind of dependence on his musical medicine as I have.

 “Dog Days are Over” delivered me my first encounter with Florence + the Machine. I have been captivated by Florence’s voice ever since. Florence emanates an overwhelming purity as she sings, which is enhanced by the fluidity of the band’s instrumentals.  The band’s newest album, Ceremonials generates eleven tracks showcasing Florence’s honestly soulful vocals through metaphoric lyrics that provoke contemplation. Every track on the album challenges the listener to delve deeper into the music and excavate meaning. The brand of music Florence + the Machine are pushing encourage and engage active listening; it’s not the kind of music to zone out to, rather it prods critical thinking. Throughout the album I deliberated on the signifance behind the lyrics, and consequently I found myself experiencing a myriad of emotions. “Shake it Out” struck me as ironic. Florence emotes an ethereal tone which made me feel carefree and liberated, yet she is talking about the darkness of suicide. “Lover to Lover” had me feeling energized. The vocal style Florence displayed combined with the organ’s wailing almost transported me to Motown in the 60’s; that’s how much soul the song possessed. Conversely, “Seven Devils” has an eerie demonic vibe that gave me chills, and not in a good way. Under Florence’s seance-like chanting lies a beat reminiscent of Jason’s theme music. Listening to this song had an effect similar to watching a horror movie. I felt my chest restrict and an unshakable uncomfortability slid over me from the moment the beat dropped until the last of the lyrics slithered out. “Seven Devils” is the most blatant example of the provative lyrics throughout the album that are designed to entice emotion and incite analysis. Ceremonials is undeniably an album everyone should lend their ear to, just be prepared to leave it with more than a few questions ruminating. But shouldn’t good music do that to us?

         Many people are blessed with a voice capable of concocting beautiful tones.  However, few artists possess the ability to take their art and put it inside of you; to  manufacture melodies that materialize the emotions they convey.  Anhayla’s delivery transcends her music and makes it something tangible, something the listener can feel. As she sang it seemed as if the lyrics floated off of her vocal chords and wrapped around my ear drums. She exhibited an intonation that absolutely enchanted me.  “All I Want is You”, is the kind of song capable of  rejuvenating your hope for love. Then, “Stuck in Limbo” strikes down those hopes, as Anhayla illuminates the emotional havoc love wreaks. Not only is she beasting on tracks personally pioneered, she’s bodying covers. Anhayla’s vocal prowess is clarified in her acoustic rendition of Trey Songz, “We Can’t Be Friends”. Rawness oozed out the speakers, and her vocal versatility takes center-stage without the background of a beat. I thouroughly enjoyed her female counterparts to songs originally casted for males, like Miguel’s “Sure Thing”, and Lil’ Wayne’s “Single”. None of the covers feel forced thanks to Anhayla’s organic projection, and she adds spice to her versions with a sassy feminine touch. Anhayla has draped her talent in a unique presentation. The combination results in a dose of music that gets you feening, in all the right ways.