High Notes, Vol. 4

Hayley Taylor
Waking

Having spent time studying both poetry and painting, playing in two different bands and having one of her songs featured in a commercial, singer-songwriter Hayley Taylor has finally released her debut six-song EP, the beautiful Waking.

Taylor, along with her backing band, create music that is rich, emotional and well-written. On ‘Orange Tree,’ her incredible song about waiting impatiently for an indecisive lover, a listener will be instantly drawn to the steady guitar-strumming and the gentle keyboard intro. Then Taylor’s voice, which is soft and smokey.

Ellie Lawson
The Philosophy Tree

London-born Ellie Lawson was poised to make a huge splash in the music world back in 2004. It was then that her song, ‘Gotta Get Up From Here,’ was released as a single by Atlantic Records. Comedienne Ellen DeGeneres also featured Lawson on her daytime talk show and lauded the singer’s album. Still, Atlantic backed out of releasing it, The Philosophy Tree, although the album was quickly scooped up by Barnes & Noble who decided to re-package the record and release it as an Barnes & Noble exclusive.

Decidedly pop, The Philosophy Tree balances programmed beats and percussion with acoustic and electric guitars while Lawson’s voice packs the lyrical punches. Comparisons to Natasha Bedingfeld, Dido and Alanis Morissette are common in most of her reviews, but I think something new, fresh and special can be found with the music of Ellie Lawson. Plus, it’s a good excuse to turn up the volume.

Featured here is Lawson’s famed single, ‘Gotta Get Up From Here.’

Valery Gore
Valery Gore

Raised on music as diverse as famed rocker Queen to the classical Chopin, Canadian-native Valery Gore creates the kind of music where boundaries are always being pushed.

On her debut, Valery Gore, the piano-heavy songs and songwriting are unique, crisp and well… sorta strange, marking Gore as a songwriter growing on the same vine that sprouted Regina Spektor and fellow Canadian Veda Hille before her. These songs won’t be easily accessible (or coherent) to everyone, but there are gems to be found here and great anticipation for what will be coming next from this talented musician.


Bird
The Insides

Originally released in 2004 (and then re-released the following year), The Insides marks the debut album from Bird (Janie Price).

A cellist since the age of six, Price grew up surrounded by music and eventually broadened her playing skills by drumming for a punk band and later performing as a jazz vocalist, making regular appearance in and around the London club scene.

On her highly praised debut, which was largely written and recorded while in Iceland, Price creates a remarkable blend of Euro-pop/rock, if such a genre exists. Layered with strings, percussion and occasional computer noises and programmed effects, The Insides boasts nearly a dozen songs that simply flow. This is an album that is effortlessly ingenious.

Listen:

Hayley Taylor - Orange Tree

Ellie Lawson - Gotta Get Up From Here

Valery Gore - Elliot Goes

Bird - Shoes Should All Cost The Same