Courtesy of Running Elk Music
Anielle Reid is definitely one to watch. With this EP, she shows off her unique sound that is unlike anyone else in country, Americana, or pop music today. The closest comparisons are the sounds of Mumford and Sons, Allison Krauss, and new Canadian Americana singer Suzanne Jarvie. But even so, Reid sounds like a mix of those three, not like any of them exactly. In an era of country music where sameness seems to equal greatness, Reid breaks that boundary and creates a truly timeless EP.
Reid jumps all over the map genre and content wise on this five-song EP. From the fresh, exciting Americana/country sounds of her debut solo single, "Someday," to the banjo pop croons of "Better" and the darker vibes of the rockier title track, Reid covers all of the bases. However, she still manages to connect all of the different tracks by maintaining a similar root sound. This sound includes the prominent banjo (played by Reid herself throughout the whole EP) and the somewhat upbeat tempo.
Photographer Ricky Rodriguez —Courtesy of Running Elk Music
The two highlights of this EP are "Someday" and "Better." These tracks have similar topics, discussing a break up, but different approaches on the same situation. The former is the initial reaction to a break up. The first lyric of the song declares, "I’m walking out/Don’t beg me to stay/It’s been a good time/But I gotta get away." The fiddle and upbeat banjo throughout the song make it a perfect opener to the EP, and one of the songs on the EP most likely to be a hit on the radio. The latter is more pop influenced, and at points, her vocals sound like she could be a pop singer. There are times on this EP where Reid sounds like a full blown country singer, but in this song, there could be comparisons made to that of a young Demi Lovato. She has a lilt to her voice, that is intensified in this song, making this a vocal highlight. The chorus the beautifully written, with the girl power and sass that adds just a little bite to the track:
"So keep that piece of my heart that you took when you went and broke it.
You know I'll survive without it baby you know I was never perfect.
But at least I'm doing one thing right in my life this time,
I'm livin' better, better, better, better, better without you in it."
Before Reid went solo, she was part of the modern-indie-folk duo Red Winter, and the sounds of the music from that part of Reid's career have crossed over into her new music. The alternative element of the duo is found especially in the title track of this EP. "Ain't Like Em" is more rock-influenced and darker, and tells the story of two people who "ain't like em", or aren't like anyone else because they are so unique. This song, although on the surface is telling the story of another man and woman, seems to be actually telling the story of Reid herself. Her musical stylings, and her vocals, and her strong, passionate lyrics have proved that point: that Anielle Reid ain't like 'em.
Best tracks: Someday, Better
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 and a half crowns
"So keep that piece of my heart that you took when you went and broke it.
You know I'll survive without it baby you know I was never perfect.
But at least I'm doing one thing right in my life this time,
I'm livin' better, better, better, better, better without you in it."
Before Reid went solo, she was part of the modern-indie-folk duo Red Winter, and the sounds of the music from that part of Reid's career have crossed over into her new music. The alternative element of the duo is found especially in the title track of this EP. "Ain't Like Em" is more rock-influenced and darker, and tells the story of two people who "ain't like em", or aren't like anyone else because they are so unique. This song, although on the surface is telling the story of another man and woman, seems to be actually telling the story of Reid herself. Her musical stylings, and her vocals, and her strong, passionate lyrics have proved that point: that Anielle Reid ain't like 'em.
Best tracks: Someday, Better
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 and a half crowns
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