aaamusic | On 17, Jun 2012

NYC singer songwriter Nell Bryden’s new LP Shake The Tree aims to a smoothly epic sound, showing a romantic sensibility heightened by Nell’s dense vocals and her musical influences. Opening with Mercy On Me, the record immediately catches you with its heartbroken longing and wistful hope. The music lies somewhere grittier and airier than Adele, with both country and indie streaks at times. What strikes you the most is her mystical, graceful voice, piercing through the dense atmosphere of her tracks to create light. The ballad format suits her well, and there are a few unexpected turns within Shake The Tree: the stomping title-track would be one, then If I Forget’s bass-driven 60s vibe. Overall Shake The Tree is a fully accomplished pop record which lets us into a spiritual, loving, and true world. This is a rare occasion in the music industry right now, and it will no doubt bring Nell Bryden’s deserved success to an even higher level.

★★★★★

Chiara Amoretti