Skylar Gudasz – Country
Well, roots music, country & Americana don’t often have an ethereal vocal, but this artist applies her atmospheric voice resolutely on the opener “Fire Country.” It’s a surprisingly good showcase if not just because it’s spatial, luxuriant & here’s the trick – it’s not bombastic. Ms. Gudasz (vocals/mellotron/piano/synths/guitars/arrangements) & her musicians lay out their wares with flourishes, melody & lots of seasoning. Is it different? Yes. Is it good? Yes, it has its merits.
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Produced by Skylar with Ari Picker (synths/bgv/guitars/piano/mellotron/arrangements) the 9 tracks on her 3rd LP were recorded in studios in North Carolina for Country (Drops August 9/Perseids Records/42:30).
Skylar’s repertoire explores rootsy terrain, witchy rock n’ roll & Southern twang & touches upon dreamy art-pop (without getting too valium induced). Her vocals are somewhat plaintive, but she paints her vocalese with authoritative brush strokes. She evokes a warm mood with some surrealistic mellifluous beauty evident in tunes like “Atoll” & “Love Story Past Life.”
This musical landscape has been covered in various shades by artists like Jane Siberry, Heather Nova, Heidi Berry & Aimee Mann. Yet, with all that behind her Skylar manages to squeeze out performances far above the ordinary. At times, without the lower register of Bird York (“In the Deep”) she has the same sustenance in her slower more immersive songs (“No Body”).
The songs have an individuality many talented artists in all aspects of vocals, songwriting & performance fail to aspire to.
There’s always a sameness to it all. Instead of just basic songwriting, her songs are established in movements – not so much in a classical sense as a flow. I like this because of the courage of its creativity & originality.
While I don’t hear commercial possibilities, the ability is there — if that’s the aim. As a cohesive piece of work on a well-produced album – it’s a stable collection of formidable & engaging music.
Highlights – “Fire Country,” “Watercolor,” “Atoll,” “Love Story Past Life” & “No Body.”
Musicians – Daniel Hart (strings), Pete Lewis (drums), Sarah Louise (guitars), Josh Moore & Chessa Rich (bgv), Casey Toll (upright & electric bass), James Wallace (organ), Joe Westerlund (percussion), Whit Wright (pedal steel) & Jeff Crawford (electric bass/electric guitar/piano/synths).
The color image courtesy of Skylar’s Bandcamp site. There’s a fold-out insert with lyrics. CD @ Bandcamp & https://www.skylargudasz.com/