On My Mind is a perfect example of how simple ideas can become fleshed out to provide the listener an experience worth repeating.
Keeley Shade, a Canadian-born New Zealand-based singer-songwriter is releasing her debut single On My Mind. The piano that sets up the song, with a synth/piano note sitting on top grounding the melody is also metaphorical in its nature. The song is real and authentic with its acoustic and spacious sound. Internalizing her thoughts and feelings while staying grounded is one of the takeaways I get from this track. The music weaves, ebbs, and flows in a dynamic and rhythmic feel providing a canvas in which her vocals wonderfully sit. There is no belting here, instead, it's heartfelt sincerity that I appreciate and applaud. That's not to say that I have anything against belting vocals. Quite the contrary. It's the fact that Keeley understands how to sing her story and in a way that feels real.
And musically, the accompaniment is perfect. Piano, acoustic guitar, layered backing vocals, drums that switch around at times where needed; this is the sort of thoughtful popular music I would personally love to hear more of. It requires your attention, and giving it will reward the listener.
This is a fantastic track that I feel should be playlisted on radio stations, and if not, well, just follow her and go see her live, something that I must do personally now. Add this song to your playlist, listen and feel.
Excellent work here.
Keeley Shade is a Canadian-born New Zealand singer-songwriter based in Auckland.
Keeley grew up in Whangaparaoa, playing songs of Bon Iver and Daughter quietly in her bathroom. Now with more of a pop/rock flair, and backed by a band, she retains poetic songwriting and building dreamscape arrangements.
Just a couple years after finishing degrees in Fine Art and Music, Keeley has been working as a designer, television editor, and music video producer for NZ musicians. Now quite literally taking the stage herself, she’s coming in strong with a sonically exciting and heartfelt debut single On My Mind, that integrates her folk roots with a love for lush and abstract pop production.