Robyn Sherwell - Robyn Sherwell

Robyn Sherwell
Robyn Sherwell
2016
Spotify

The risk you take when you go minimal when it comes to instrumentation is that for the most part you are completely exposed. For Robyn Sherwell on this self titled release everything is stripped away minus the bare essentials allow her voice to take center stage. It's a risk that pays off because her voice is simply incredible. With little more than a piano note and a simple drum beat Sherwell let's her songs take flight. Her breathy delivery only further evokes an emotional heart that runs throughout the record. Sherwell is in a crop of these kinds of singers, who write strong indie tracks that are out of the norm of what we would usually consider for females with this kind of vocal power. VÉRITÉ, Hana and others are also doing this kind of music, yet they all manage to stay unique. "Broken" is perhaps the one track with the most layers and diversity musically but that sense of smallness never leaves. This is music for a small room, with a few people not to be blasted to thousands. Sherwell seems to be fascinated by the intimate making this album feel super connected to it's listeners. That is one of the most interesting things about Sherwell, her music is not necessarily exciting or new but on a very visceral level it works and works very well. You find yourself wanting that voice to just wash over you and wrap you up tight.

One of the issues with this record however is that it becomes very one note. Only a few tracks in you get it and besides "Broken" there is very little in terms of a change of pace. You find yourself appreciating this minimal approach but the later tracks are begging for a break from it. In the hands of a lot of artists these very same songs may come across as a contrived move, but in Robyn Sherwell's hands they are completely organic though a bit monotonous. There are actually a few good remixes to her track "Islander" out there and when you listen to those you see what a benefit some variety can really add. The album comes to a close with a cover of "Landslide" that continues the style that Sherwell has set up since the beginning of the record. It's a bit of a strange choice since this song has been covered every which way, but it is perfectly fine. It is unlikely that this record will end up blowing you away, but it is sweet and really well done. Some changes and perhaps a bit more power behind her and Robyn Sherwell is going to be a force to reckon with.

6.6 out of 10