19 Dec 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Grace Duncan - EP Review: Ruminations

25 Feb 2021 // A review by Corinne Rutherford

Originally from Hawkes Bay and currently residing in Wellington is composer and singer-songwriter Grace Duncan who has just released her eight track EP, Ruminations. Offering delicate layers of sound and graceful vocals, making this a haunting yet serenely beautiful collection of previously released singles. 

If you go to Grace's Bandcamp page, you will see that her music is described as "Alternative, rock/pop/folk and classical influences" that is, for the most part what you get on Ruminations, alternative pop/folk with a hefty classical vibe and peppered throughout with the stirring poignant strains of taonga puoro.

The intro track Fire Within guides you into this EP with a starting point of beautiful orchestration. Violin creating a calming environment which sets the tone for Ruminations.

Following on from the introduction is a full length track of the same name, which introduces you to Grace's gentle melodic vocals. For now is the next track which highlights the strength and thoughtful nature of Grace's song writing.

My personal favourite is Tree Against The Ocean, it is a stunning, gentle moving track of harmony and clean clear acoustic guitar, interspersed with traditional Maori Instruments.

You tend to float along to the music on Ruminations, wrapped in a poetic and mesmerizing aural environment. Then comes track six, Trance which jolts you out of your nice comfy musical cloak with a short sharp interlude of guitar picking. This is only short lived however, swiftly reverting back to "the rich and captivating soundscape".

Recently completing a Bachelor of Commercial Music at Massey University, Ruminations is Grace Duncan’s debut EP embracing the bold journey ahead with purpose, bringing her stories to light in an elegant and captivating way.

Rating: ( 4 / 5 )
 

About Grace Duncan

Raised in Heretaunga (Hastings), and now living in Te Whanganui-a-Tara (Wellington), indie-folk singer-songwriter and composer Grace Duncan will draw you in with her beckoning voice, reflective lyrics and pensive melodies. Her intimate music offers musings on mental and emotional health, purpose, and identity within Aotearoa as she creates spaces to slow down and reflect. Grace grew up learning violin and guitar throughout her schooling and was quick to explore melodies and harmonies as they fell into her lap, bearing a resemblance to Aotearoa artists such as Brooke Fraser and Holly Arrowsmith.




Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Grace Duncan

Releases

Ruminations
Year: 2021
Type: Album

Other Reviews By Corinne Rutherford

Ms. Mia - EP Review: Living In The Shadows
06 Jun 2024 // by Corinne Rutherford
Born in Manila and residing in Auckland, Mia Caintic AKA Ms. Mia has just released her 5-track debut EP Living In The Shadows.
Read More...
Casual Healing - Album Review: Driftwood
13 May 2024 // by Corinne Rutherford
When you fly Air New Zealand, there may be a chance you have heard one of the latest singles Mauri Tau from Wellington based musician Nikau Te Huki, who goes under the name of Casual Healing on his 12-track solo project titled Driftwood. This is one of two tracks released from the self-produced debut album.
Read More...
Album Review: Levity Beet And The Aotearoa All Stars
30 Apr 2024 // by Corinne Rutherford
Golden Bay's multiple award-winning children’s music artist Levity Beet is well regarded in his field. Three times APRA Children's Song of the Year winner and two times Tui Children's Musician of the Year, he knows a thing or two about producing heartwarming, entertaining and amusing music which captures the hearts and minds of our children.
Read More...
Ersha Island - EP Review: Back To Our Roots
29 Feb 2024 // by Corinne Rutherford
Classically trained duo Dani and Tee are Ersha Island, Auckland based musicians with a contemporary style which has been described as indie-folk. They began their journey in Guangzhou, China on Ersha Island, hence their name.
Read More...
Eden Mulholland - Album Review: A Bee Might Bite My Nose
21 Dec 2023 // by Corinne Rutherford
Funny, Kooky and gently melancholic at times is one description of respected Australasian composer, songwriter and collaborator Eden Mulholland (Ngati Porou). His most recent release is channeled by a very cute teddy bear.
Read More...
Jessica Leigh - EP Review: Lightbeam
03 Nov 2023 // by Corinne Rutherford
Wellington based Nelsonian, singer, songwriter and producer Jessica Leigh has recently released her third EP Lightbeam. Changing tack from her previous EP in 2021, the acoustic guitars and strings have given way to full synthpop sound with an 80's inspired vibe.
Read More...
Michèle Ducray - EP Review: Throne Of Mine
05 Oct 2023 // by Corinne Rutherford
Mysterious and sinister themes such as horror combined with the colourful characteristics of circus life are the inspiration behind emerging dark-pop artist Michèle Ducray's debut EP Throne Of Mine. The balance of both dark and light create a fresh and original sound that is complex as it is identifiable.
Read More...
Sam Heselwood - EP Review: Home Is Where The Heart Is
19 Sep 2023 // by Corinne Rutherford
Ex rugby player turned singer-songwriter Sam Heselwood has recently released his 5 track EP Home Is Where The Heart Is. Originally from Christchurch, the indie-pop musician has delivered poignant, beautifully composed music which aims straight for the heart.
Read More...
View All Articles By Corinne Rutherford

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • APT.
    ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
  • DIE WITH A SMILE
    Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER
    Billie Eilish
  • TASTE
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
    Gracie Abrams
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • SAILOR SONG
    Gigi Perez
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
    Shaboozey
  • GOOD LUCK, BABE!
    Chappell Roan
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem