Castleman’s catchy debut delivers liberation after heartbreak.
Cecilia Castleman’s self-titled debut is an excellent dissection of how one can search the world for love yet still have to return internally for self-acceptance and peace. From her scornful loneliness on “You Go Thru Girls Like You Go Thru Cigarettes” to questioning her perspective on “Free To Dream,” Castleman’s songwriting displays her curiosity. Her straightforward, airy vocals sit well amongst pleasing, primarily acoustic arrangements, giving “Cecila Castleman” a pleasant, homey quality that is immediately charming.
“It’s Alright,” the first track on the album, starts off blazing with a distorted guitar riff. The unabashed quality continues when Castleman says, “I bought a ticket… I don’t know why… but it sure feels right.” Her voice feels young but lived in, never brash but hardly modest. It has a limitless quality that allows the otherwise sparse production to wrap itself around her. Whether she is soaring high on songs like “Company” or delivering wispy sensuality on “You Don’t Know Me Right Now,” Castleman’s voice is placed at the forefront of each mix: intimate, clear, and precise.
Castleman’s intelligent songwriting compliments her voice well. Contrasting rhythmic verses to melodic choruses, Castleman is not breaking new musical ground, but she is capable of weaving around the modern pop formula. Where she shines is in contemplative lyrics. In “Pick and Lose,” she ponders the consequences of her choices, concluding that however her decisions turn out, there is strength within herself. Most of the tracks on Cecila Castleman have a cathartic lyrical quality. While the heroine’s journey can sometimes feel repetitive, it can give the listener a fiery boost.
Halfway through the album, “Waiting On You” is a strong foray into pop. A decisive four on the floor gives way to pulsating synths while Castleman’s breathy voice, dripping with reverb, sings about longing for a lover. The song doesn’t reach the euphoric heights often associated with synth-pop, but its slick cadence and inviting vocals make it a welcome surprise on the album. There is another mix of the song that is much more acoustic-based, but the album version is categorically pop. Whether this is a risk worth taking is up to the listener, but Castleman delivers the song with such conviction it is hard to stay unconvinced.
Castleman delivers a debut filled with catchy hooks, mesmerizing vocals, and introspective lyrics. The record might not yet feel like a fully formed vision, but it is clear that this songwriter knows what she wants to say and has the tools to speak. Cecilia Castleman lays the foundation for a surely exciting future.
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