Best New Music – Kylee Johnson – Album Review

Written by Shelley Carling

Kylee Johnson’s debut EP makes me feel melancholy for that moment when summer love has finally come to an end but there’s always that sweet possibility that it’s really just the beginning, and I have a feeling that for Johnson, it has only just begun.

Having made a splash in the indie-pop scene, Johnson has emerged as a singer/songwriter to be taken seriously.  At first listen her voice has a simplicity that is the result of a controlled instrument that truly sets Johnson apart from the rest.   While her soft, creamy voice, carries a gentle, honest undertone, she manages to swiftly and effortlessly show a vulnerability that is a pleasure listen to as she jumps around her register.

The album as a whole sounds polished, assured and optimistic.  Wrapped in a variety of keys and a mixture of strings, the lyrics feel altogether so applicable and widely personal.  All four tracks offer a sweet, heartfelt youthfulness with the wisdom of someone that has experienced love and love lost.  Her colorful upbeat pop tunes continue to surprise me as we journey from song to song.

The EP kicks off with “Mindreader,” a song that easily sets the pace and tone for the rest with it’s radio ready chorus. Next is “Another Rainy Day in Sunny California,” a song with hopeful and heartbroken lyrics and a refreshingly eclectic mix of keys.  “Not That Kind Of Song,” is a ballad filled with soul that easily soars as Johnson’s voice deepens and gains strength.  And lastly is “Everybody Felt This Way,” another perfectly wrapped radio package.

Kylee Johnson has proved herself to be a skillful pop artisan.  She has the heart and talent to make beautiful, epic art about those situations in love that we have all experienced.  Just like that summer love, Johnson has come in full force, skipped the introductions and has left me wanting so much more.