Ebony Buckle releases a rich, conceptual ambient pop album, Hearts Get Started, with rock and folk influences this Oct 4. Prequel to her previous, the album has become a standalone story through her evolving musical landscape. From the delicate folk melodies to the grand, theatrical moments, Hearts Get Started brings together a range of emotions and experiences, all underscored by Buckle’s ethereal voice and her husband Nick Burns’ production work.
The album opens with “Fall Behind.” It is a spiritual experience with the otherworldly choral harmonies and the majestic, hypnotic chorus. The singer’s delicate yet powerful voice makes for a cinematic and deeply theatrical experience.
Inspired by Buckle’s childhood spent by the sea, “Golden Sand” is one of the more tender and reflective tracks on the album. It begins with gentle piano melodies, and Buckle’s voice flows with a soothing, almost hypnotic quality. Her soprano tones are smooth and inviting, while the beats rumble softly in the background, allowing the swelling strings to amplify the emotion. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of nostalgia, capturing a fleeting moment of innocence and safety in the beauty of the golden sand and water.
A rippling, piano-led ballad, “Soph My Dear,” features Buckle’s smooth vibrato pulling us in her majestic vocal charm. The melancholic melody of the piano is wrapped in delicate strings, giving the song a lullaby-like quality. The album’s closing track, “Jupiter Rising,” is uplifting and filled with a sense of unity and togetherness. Buckle’s comforting voice, combined with angelic backing vocals, delivers idyllic symbolic lyricism, like the chorus itself. The adventurous orchestral instrumental arrangement gives the song a larger-than-life conclusive appeal.
Fans can look forward to seeing Buckle perform live at the Camden Club this October 17. Till then, listen to Hearts Get Started on Spotify.
KEEP IN TOUCH:
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | SPOTIFY | BANDCAMP | WEBSITE | YOUTUBE
Photo credits: Rosie Emerson
Review by: Naomi Joan