10 Oct 2024
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Juliet McLean - EP Review: Amaze Me

24 Nov 2022 // A review by taffynz

A very introspective offering here from Taranaki based singer/songwriter Juliet McLean. The EP Amaze Me, named for its promo single release, is not my usual cup of tea - however, I have said before that music is a subjective creature and a thing of beauty to me might not be so for you... and vice versa.

Don't read my first paragraph as too much of a negative. Juliet is a performance keyboard and singing teacher at High School level, plus a tutor at Song Writing School NZ. The lead vocal is delivered as a mature, full and rich sound, and sits perfectly in the mix. The mix itself, and mastering, were by Ben King (of Goldenhorse production fame) in his own Auckland-based studio. I can assume Juliet provided the keys, while Ben himself has provided a plethora of the other instruments. Drums were provided by Tom Broome (Tom has played with Tami Neilson, Teeks and others). Greg Johnson provided the brass.

The six songs are all slow-tempo, some more so than others. The mood it engendered in me was reminiscent of the first time I heard Coldplay's Parachutes album. Not a record for a road trip, but definitely something for a late night when you're missing someone and you feel the need for some company that can quietly soothe you. It's laid back, and there's an underlying jazz feel to an Indie pop outer shell. Stories are being told, and the lyrics are well considered.

Technically astute orchestration, a great balance in the mix/master, and while all slow, nothing is boring or drags. All six tracks just exceed the magic three minute mark each, and wrapping a storytelling video around any one of them will make a compelling single out of it.

The first single is also called Amaze Me. I like the hard bottom end that comes in, and the melody is memorable. This is followed by the tribal drum intro of Burnt Out. Very relaxed vibe, great orchestration. Third track Overlooked drops the tempo further and introduces the track via a sole piano. Next comes We Know, which starts with a tangible flowing vibe, and has a groovy backing vocal. Then comes Love Remains, which has a pumping bass intro that I liked a lot, and a pleasant surprise with an organ in the mix. Final track is Iris Beside Me, another good and memorable melody atop some piano.

As mentioned, all are fairly to very slow tempo. If it's what you like in a body of work then Juliet has delivered it for you here and this is definitely not something to bypass. Personally, for a body of work that's EP-sized or larger, I prefer to hear some higher energy material there too. Don't let my subjectivity stop you though, if you're into the smoother vibe this EP offers, it's defo for you.

I'd considered awarding three stars based on the tempo thing, but I would be being pedantic. Technically astute, each song individually works a treat - but I'm dropping from five stars to four based on my sole gripe.

Save the blessing for the final ring!

Rating: ( 4 / 5 )
 

About Juliet McLean

Singer-songwriter Juliet McLean was raised and still lives in Taranaki under the steady presence of Te Maunga O Taranaki beside the ever-changing west coast sea – a perfect allegory for this continually evolving, talented artist.

A gifted storyteller, her song's poetic themes straddle the bittersweet paradox of human experience in love, life and family.

After the release of her debut EP The Dance in 2015 and LP Unlash the Boats in 2019 - under the moniker, 'O Juliet' - her focus turned away from the work of studio production back to the craft of song writing and solo performance.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Juliet McLean

Releases

Amaze Me
Year: 2022
Type: EP
Unlash The Boats
Year: 2019
Type: Album

Other Reviews By taffynz

Cautionary Tales - Single Review: Women
15 Jun 2023 // by taffynz
One of the things I love about this job is that music is such a giver. I listened to the opening first few bars of Cautionary Tales' new single release Women and I was nodding me old head along with the sinister, wonderfully balanced intro - then vocalist/keys man Will Marshall kicked in with his opening lines.
Read More...
Underwire - Single Review: Gravity
25 May 2023 // by taffynz
I like Underwire. I've been privileged to catch this Wellington-based punk/indie band live a number of times, going back a few years.
Read More...
Sounds Escape - Single Review: Haunted
22 May 2023 // by taffynz
Sounds Escape is the project band name of one-man show Logan Wedgwood. The release of the EP Echo Cinema sees Logan releasing the track Haunted as the EP's promo single.
Read More...
Sam Cullen - Single Review: Forever
19 May 2023 // by taffynz
80's! It was a place, not just a time.
Read More...
Andy White & Tim Finn - Album Review: AT
29 Mar 2023 // by taffynz
I still have my original late 70's 7" vinyl single of I Got You by Split Enz, despite emigrating to these shores in early 1997. I wasn't even a teenager in the late 70's.
Read More...
Iveta & Simone - Single Review: Corazon
24 Feb 2023 // by taffynz
Here's the thing. Pop isn't my bag.
Read More...
Chump Change - Single Review: Ocean Eyed Machine
24 Feb 2023 // by taffynz
Oh, I'm getting a real knack for picking the ones that get my toes tappin'! With this single, Ocean Eyed Machine, Dunedin-based indie outfit Chump Change have delivered an ethereal delight that lives up to its billing of "summer hit" on the EPK I got sent.
Read More...
B O K E H - Single/Video Review: Simple Little Things
23 Feb 2023 // by taffynz
I seem to be picking up pop pieces recently. Lucky for me, I'm picking up quality commercial-standard work like this one, B O K E H's new single Simple Little Things.
Read More...
View All Articles By taffynz

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • DIE WITH A SMILE
    Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
  • TASTE
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • BIRDS OF A FEATHER
    Billie Eilish
  • TIMELESS
    The Weeknd And Playboi Carti
  • ESPRESSO
    Sabrina Carpenter
  • GOOD LUCK, BABE!
    Chappell Roan
  • A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
    Shaboozey
  • LOSE CONTROL
    Teddy Swims
  • TOO SWEET
    Hozier
  • BEAUTIFUL THINGS
    Benson Boone
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem