A Young, Innovative Musical Guru

Chicago based artist Haley Fohr has only just begun her musical journey through the inner workings of the indie pop world. Circuit des Yeux released her first album in 2015 titled In Plain Speech. Fohr then decided to switch it up and release a “self-titled” album in 2016 under the alias of Jackie Lynn. Which brings us to the present with the release of her eight-track LP titled Reaching for Indigo, the first album released on Drag City Records.

The first track dropped is a sensational trip through weird and spontaneous rock-pop, titled “Paper Bag.” The music video begins with a quick two minute creepy, yet provocative, set of retro images of amoebas, animals and humans fading through what looks to be a ’60s TV set. One could say the set of the music video is somewhat of a look through the evolution of man. The rest of the song is held down with a smooth sailing melody that brings listeners on a drive they aren’t ready to end and heroine guitar riffs matched with a gothic-esque voice.

The other seven songs are a little package sent from a distant friend to help ease one’s troubled mind. The tracks are mingled together so nicely, immersing and mesmerizing. “Black Fly” is a chorus of firm, savage-like voices and a constantly increasing acoustic guitar riff that could empower anyone listening. “A Story of This World Part II” is the epitome of quick indie pop-rock ballad with two minutes of head-bobbing excellence. The LP comes to a close with “Geyser” and “Falling Blonde” which help to bring the musical voyage to an end. The genius that is Fohr leavers her listener’s bellies full and thirsts quenched, but there is still a longing for just a little more.

Fohr’s voice is something out of a novel. Her folkie-famine appearance is deceiving to the rich, robust alto-tones of her voice, in part to the manipulation done by four overdrive pedals. Fohr creates a show that turns heads from the gloomy notes strummed from her guitar to her drooping hair that seems to always cover most of her face. The innovation seen by Fohr in her 20s is a promising sight for the future of her career.