“Beginnings” – Chloe Violette
I am something of a sucker for songs with this kind of starkly articulated, tom-based drumbeat, reminiscent of something delightful by Paul Simon. Add crisp acoustic guitar pickings and a rich vocal style and we have a winner. The vibe is spirited and relaxed at the same time, the organic sound an apt match for ongoing lyrical references to the natural world. Another piece of craft I appreciate is when a song has the nerve to interrupt its own flow, which happens here, first, at 1:28. This works especially well given the allure of the aforementioned percussion, which kicks back in after the interruption, allowing the listener to re-appreciate its laid-back vigor.
The singing voice is a highlight here, but how, I still wonder, after all these years, to effectively describe a voice? Comparisons are at once helpful and slightly lazy. Yes, there’s something of Phoebe Bridgers in Violette’s semi-smoky mezzo, but also something rounder or maybe chestier to it, maybe? I guess the best I can do is to encourage you to listen for yourself and see what her lovely instrument conjures.
A singer/songwriter based in the Gippsland region of Australia, in the state of Victoria, Chloe Violette has in recent years made the transition from teacher to musician. “Beginnings” is the opening track on Colourfast, her debut, which was released back in February. Recording began in March 2023; the process, she says, was not rushed. Note that the birdcall that opens the track is from an Austrlian songbird called the superb lyrebird, recorded by Violette, as was the sound of the river that flows near her home in the country. You can listen to the album, and buy it, via Bandcamp.
Fingertips 