Allison Veltz's goal was to raise $6500 to make this 5 song EP, but she ended up raising $10,000, emphasizing the power of a strong fanbase and crowd funding. Once signed to Blaster Records, and working with producer Mark Bright, whose past credits include songs for Carrie Underwood and others, Veltz is now an independent artist, and plans to release music faster now, and on her own terms. In just a few short months, Veltz ended up releasing this 5 song EP, representative of the work that she has done as an independent artist, and what kind of music she wants to make.
Veltz experiments with different sounds on this EP. Her last EP, Welcome to Wonderland, released in April by Blaster Records, had more a country/folk feel, while this collection incorporates a bit more edge. She uses more vocal effects and pop elements in "Kiss Him Goodbye," and introduces a cello for the first time in "Long Time Coming," which results in 5 pop influenced country/folk songs. Her last EP had songs that in general sounded more alike, which is not a bad thing, but this EP is a little more varied: cohesive but different in the way Maren Morris's EP is, although Veltz and Morris have very different styles of music.
The White Room is about a crazy, tumultuous love story. The story goes from acknowledging the chaotic nature of a relationship, to regretting that a relationship ended, to feeling angry, and then finally getting over the relationship and finding a new one. It's a story that comes full circle, from one love to the next. How Veltz managed to tell the whole story of a relationship in just 5 songs is amazing. It took Taylor Swift 16 tracks with Red, and she's Taylor Swift.
The song "Round" is fittingly the first track of the five song collection, because it introduces the chaotic and back and forth nature of the relationship. Lyrically, and vocally, it's one of the best songs on the EP, if not the best song. The way the song sounds reflects the lyrics, with the acoustic guitar, the background effects, and Veltz's vocals all adding a slightly dizzying element to the song. Co-written with Jeff Pardo, "Round" is beautifully written, and effectively conveys the relationship and its craziness, but also the beauty that was in it as well.
The White Room is about a crazy, tumultuous love story. The story goes from acknowledging the chaotic nature of a relationship, to regretting that a relationship ended, to feeling angry, and then finally getting over the relationship and finding a new one. It's a story that comes full circle, from one love to the next. How Veltz managed to tell the whole story of a relationship in just 5 songs is amazing. It took Taylor Swift 16 tracks with Red, and she's Taylor Swift.
The song "Round" is fittingly the first track of the five song collection, because it introduces the chaotic and back and forth nature of the relationship. Lyrically, and vocally, it's one of the best songs on the EP, if not the best song. The way the song sounds reflects the lyrics, with the acoustic guitar, the background effects, and Veltz's vocals all adding a slightly dizzying element to the song. Co-written with Jeff Pardo, "Round" is beautifully written, and effectively conveys the relationship and its craziness, but also the beauty that was in it as well.
"Wasn't Over Yet" is the point when Veltz regrets the relationship ending. Veltz wrote this track with Stephanie Lambring, who has written many amazing songs along with this one, some of my favorites being "Get Around" with Hailey Whitters and "Yesterday's Makeup." This song isn't happy, but it doesn't quite have the sad and/or angry feeling that some of the other songs on the collection do. It's more of a curious, and reflective song, observing that this is a first time thing, having "an over that [she] wasn't over yet."
One of Veltz's strengths as an artist is her clear, pure voice. Showed most prominently in the next track, "Home to You," Veltz's voice is angelic. The song is a difficult one to sing, and Veltz does such interesting things with her voice. On top of all of that, it was recorded live, emphasizing the perfection of her voice. Lyrically "Home to You" is the angriest song on the record, written solely by Veltz. Her excellent voice is the star of the show again on the next track. "Kiss Him Goodbye" is the 'getting over you' part of the relationship, and this is also the most pop influenced track on the EP. "Hey boy / do ya wanna save my Friday night?" is the main line on this sultry song, and it adds a more conversational element.
Happiness shows up in "Long Time Coming," for the first and only time. Happy love songs are overrated, I think, but sometimes they just work perfectly. This song is a breath of fresh air, from the heaviness of the other tracks. It brings the story back to the beginning, back to the easy, light feeling of a brand new, and healthy, relationship after one like the relationship this EP was inspired by.
Allison Veltz independently funded this record, and raised $4,500 more than she asked for. No label, just great music that was waiting and needed to be heard. Sometimes, great music prevails. With The White Room, Veltz had the opportunity to give her fans more music, but also really figure out who she wants to be as an artist, and what she wants her music to sound like. This EP was written and produced by Veltz, and she had control over everything. This EP is her. And I know that I, and many other people, love what she has done with it.
Best tracks: Round, Home to You
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 ½ crowns
One of Veltz's strengths as an artist is her clear, pure voice. Showed most prominently in the next track, "Home to You," Veltz's voice is angelic. The song is a difficult one to sing, and Veltz does such interesting things with her voice. On top of all of that, it was recorded live, emphasizing the perfection of her voice. Lyrically "Home to You" is the angriest song on the record, written solely by Veltz. Her excellent voice is the star of the show again on the next track. "Kiss Him Goodbye" is the 'getting over you' part of the relationship, and this is also the most pop influenced track on the EP. "Hey boy / do ya wanna save my Friday night?" is the main line on this sultry song, and it adds a more conversational element.
Happiness shows up in "Long Time Coming," for the first and only time. Happy love songs are overrated, I think, but sometimes they just work perfectly. This song is a breath of fresh air, from the heaviness of the other tracks. It brings the story back to the beginning, back to the easy, light feeling of a brand new, and healthy, relationship after one like the relationship this EP was inspired by.
Allison Veltz independently funded this record, and raised $4,500 more than she asked for. No label, just great music that was waiting and needed to be heard. Sometimes, great music prevails. With The White Room, Veltz had the opportunity to give her fans more music, but also really figure out who she wants to be as an artist, and what she wants her music to sound like. This EP was written and produced by Veltz, and she had control over everything. This EP is her. And I know that I, and many other people, love what she has done with it.
Best tracks: Round, Home to You
Throwaway tracks: none
Overall rating: 4 ½ crowns
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