EJ Barrett - EP Review: Call Me EJ
EJ Barrett creates a very fresh and vibrant sound thanks mostly to the organically produced backing loops of breaths and whispers, creating a very emotive ambiance, EJ’s voice and style are comparative to other Kiwi artists like Lorde and Gin Wigmore, but is also quite worldly like Adele and Enya.
The backing loops that EJ performs provide a unique kind if organic beat that is full of soulful expression. Indeed the vocal chants and moans create a pleasurable kind of persuasive and provocative percussion. The track Tall Trees is backed with beautiful native bird songs combined with broad vocal harmonies that colour the music with a gratifying environmental sensation.
EJ is not your typical pop artist, and the themes and inspirations behind the subject matter are diverse expressions of what some might say are non-traditional denominated subjects like the opening track Sleep which speaks of the trauma and discrimination for being a polyamorous parent, then there is Paint Me A Picture celebrating a 3-way relationship that EJ was a part of at the time of writing.
While these honest and raw subjects are not prevalent when listening to the songs for the first time, the subtle lyrical themes are interwoven in the songs and over time the lyrics or even just the stimulating music should be enough to provoke and awaken an inquiring mind.
This 5 track EP is certainly an arousing experience, EJ’s unique organic and playful sound is pleasing and gratifying, and the EP as a whole is awakening on many levels, and that is a rare thing is this all too often monotonous world, 4 stars out of 5.
About EJ Barrett
Drawing on inspiration from artists like Joss Stone, Rising Appalachia, Kimbra, Regina Spektor, A Girl Named Mo and Julia Easterlin, EJ crafts soulful live looped tracks using only vocal techniques, body percussion and a Boss RC-505 loop station.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for EJ Barrett
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