Brooke Waggoner – Sweven

Brooke Waggoner’s Simple, Yet Rewarding Record

If one were to combine the vocals of Zooey Deschanel with the deep, manipulated voice of Karin Dreijer Andersson the product would be Brooke Waggoner. The Nashville based singer-songwriter’s upcoming new album Sweven is an experimental pop record that leaves the listener with a feeling of contentment.

This album has everything that a quirky indie music lover enjoys as well as the haunting, but weirdly energetic beats of pop music. For instance, the songs “Widow Maker” and “Sweven” serve as examples of this experimental, but appealing style of music. One reason why these songs stand out is because of their unconventional sound, but ultimately it’s because they lack pretension. Waggoner does not posture her music to make it unattainable to the listener. Rather, she slowly reels one in before gradually introducing them to music that sounds conflicting or unusual.

Of all the songs on the album, however, the one that embeds itself in the mind is “Fellow.” This stirring song is not impressive in the way of lyrics, but in the emotion with which those lyrics are conveyed. This is unrivaled by many of the other tracks. Additionally, with its use of childlike sounding instruments, there is a simplicity to this song that is refreshing, and a departure from the rest of the songs. The echoes of the instruments, as well as Waggoner’s voice, linger as a shadow above the listener before gently dissipating into the air above.

This record is nothing new or groundbreaking, but it should not be discredited because of that. Is it a record that serves as a departure for some of the mainstream pop that pollutes the radio? Yes. Is it worth pontificating about to friends and strangers, telling them it is unlike any music out there with the ability to change one’s life? Maybe not, but if one is going to listen to this album, do it because Waggoner genuinely sounds like she cares about her craft and the art of making music.