The stirring new release sees the artist addressing some of her struggles and vulnerabilities in compelling fashion
Steadily establishing herself as a thoughtful artist who’s carefully considered sound is packed full of vulnerability and authenticity, Dallas folk-pop artist Alexandra has been winning over reverence and acclaim for the moving and engrossing nature of her sound and her engrossing storytelling style. Her new EP Let It Burn is a release that does a great job of capturing this sense of intimacy and honesty, recorded in the artist’s house and really capturing a homely and real feel as a result.
The EP opens with ‘Funny’, a light-hearted and good natured track that has a charming, flowing feel to it throughout, easing us into the artist’s personal sound before some darker and more personal moments come a bit further down the line. Regardless of this, the track still sees her conversational style and stirring honesty highlighted, and the more humorous and likeable moments and anecdotes on the track make a really compelling listen.
A harsher reality comes to the fore on ‘Adrenaline’, the track that follows, as the artist looks for something of an escape from the regrets that she is left with, hoping to recapture the youthful exuberance that seems to have left her behind and make her feel alive and carefree again, rather than jaded. There is a really stirring tone to the sound, with the guitars and strings coming together to create a feel that is packed full of character and charm while providing the perfect backdrop for such introspective musings.
Self-doubt and more introspective are the key themes of ‘Lift The Veil’, a track that sees the artist worrying about truly letting people in and seeing the vulnerabilities and insecurities that she does her best to mask and hide away. There is quite an uplifting and powerful charm to the track and the liberating feel of such a soaring narrative that sees her looking to address these issues head on. There is an acknowledged level of complexity and nuance to problems like these, something that listeners will be all too familiar with, and the power of exploring these things in such articulate and moving fashion is something that will resonate on a deep and profound level.
If ‘Lift The Veil’ is a track about insecurities and trying to face them head on, then ‘Let It Burn’ is a complete sense of rebirth and reinvention, a feisty and fiery track that embraces a sense of empowerment and confidence that feels like a cathartic weight off. In contrast to the tracks before, this feels like the artist finally letting the shackles off, letting go of inhibitions and worries, and this is mirrored through the carefree and dynamic nature of the upbeat sound.
The EP is closed out with a gorgeously crafted like track called ‘You’, a moving ode to love and compassion that has this stark, stripped-back intimacy that is instantly vulnerable and likeable. The contrast almost makes the track feel like the after-party to the album, like the spotlight is off and everyone has left and the artist is allowing herself to be fully candid and open, embracing the way that this love has impacted her life in compelling and emotionally rousing fashion.
The album unfolds in a way that feels really natural and poignant throughout, like Alexandra has managed to open up, address what is wrong, and then can finally speak her truth about how she feels once she has shed her skin and finally grown comfortable enough to do it. This makes for an album that flows and progresses in a really absorbing way, helping you to really feel her story as it develops and root for her every step of the way.
