Music: Hannah Evelyn

HANNAH EVELYN

Indie rock songstress returns with Embers and Constellations, a more layered and polished sound

One year removed from the release of the Cicada Songs EP - an accomplished five-track collection that announced a major new force in the tri-state music scene - indie rock songstress Hannah Evelyn is back in a big way, building on the foundation of the previous offering with a more layered and polished sound on Embers and Constellations. The new mini suite of songs once again features the significant talents of bassist/ vocalist Jared Majors-Manley and drummer Benji Koelling, but what truly elevates this finely-crafted follow-up is the addition of Joe Luegers on keys. His contributions to the recording process (engineered by Steve Tyner and Jon Kern at Black Cat Recording) proved the key to creating a more sonically solid mix that particularly benefits the EP's trio of radio-friendly efforts: "Like It Used To," "Hearts on Automatic" and "Kind" - all three potential singles. "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 leaves the biggest imprint here. Irresistibly melodramatic, the slow-burning "Early Light" really shows off Hannah Evelyn's lyrical maturity, upping the ante with each direct hit: "Isn't this what I wanted/ I used to be so sure/ Alone at a crowded table I can't afford/ I'm tired of all the talking/ It keeps me up at night/ Can we enjoy the morning's early light?"

Perfectly sequenced as the closing track that brings it all home, "Safe House" dreamily recalls Johnny Marr's legendary chorused-guitar work with The Smiths - a sort of hybrid of "Back to the Old House" and "Stretch Out and Wait." Straight up, this is a beautiful track with the focus squarely on Hannah Evelyn's gorgeous voice and aching harmonies. Her plaintive plea - "don't go home" - as the song reaches its crescendo lingers for days.

For more info, follow Hannah Evelyn on Facebook. Embers and Constellations is available on all major streaming platforms.