NEWS4U NOVEMBER 2021 | MUSIC
HANNAH
EVELYN Indie rock songstress returns with Embers and Constellations, a more layered and polished sound
"Like It Used To" sets the tone as the opening track, boasting a euphoric four-chord progression that drives both the hookladen verses and the soaring chorus with Hannah Evelyn declaring, "But the love doesn't hurt anymore/ Not like it used to, not like it used to." It's the first indication that Embers and Constellations finds the singer in a contemplative mood. "I really wanted to focus on storytelling and write from multiple perspectives: the broken hearted, the never meant to be, falling in love, all the fear and joy of the future," she explains. "I wanted to be as honest as possible, and because of that, this record felt like sitting by a fire on a cold night and recounting stories to someone you love and trust." "Hearts on Automatic" and "Kind" follow, both equally catchy yet sophisticated. The former rides a pleasing Foster the People groove at the outset before Hannah Evelyn takes things to the next level vocally, while the latter features a Fleetwood Mac vibe married with a chorus that Taylor Swift would kill to call her own. But it's the singer's dark side that
One year removed from the release of the Cicada Songs EP -
leaves the biggest imprint here. Irresistibly melodramatic,
an accomplished five-track collection that announced a major
the slow-burning "Early Light" really shows off Hannah
new force in the tri-state music scene - indie rock songstress
Evelyn's lyrical maturity, upping the ante with each direct
Hannah Evelyn is back in
hit: "Isn't this what I wanted/
a big way, building on the
I used to be so sure/ Alone
foundation of the previous
at a crowded table I can't
offering with a more layered
afford/ I'm tired of all the
and
on
talking/ It keeps me up at
Embers and Constellations.
night/ Can we enjoy the
The new mini suite of songs
morning's early light?"
once
polished
again
sound
features
the
significant talents of bassist/
Perfectly sequenced as the
vocalist Jared Majors-Manley
closing track that brings it all
and drummer Benji Koelling,
home, "Safe House" dreamily
but what truly elevates this
recalls
finely-crafted
legendary
follow-up
is
Johnny
Marr's
chorused-guitar
the addition of Joe Luegers
work with The Smiths - a sort
on keys. His contributions
of hybrid of "Back to the Old
to the recording process
House" and "Stretch Out
(engineered by Steve Tyner
and Wait." Straight up, this is
and Jon Kern at Black Cat Recording) proved the key to
a beautiful track with the focus squarely on Hannah Evelyn's
creating a more sonically solid mix that particularly benefits
gorgeous voice and aching harmonies. Her plaintive plea -
the EP's trio of radio-friendly efforts: "Like It Used To," "Hearts
"don't go home" - as the song reaches its crescendo lingers
on Automatic" and "Kind" - all three potential singles.
for days.
For more info, follow Hannah Evelyn on Facebook. Embers and Constellations is available on all major streaming platforms.
44 | NOVEMBER 2021
• www.evansvillemediagroup.com
