Too many songs are similar, which makes the album feel monotonous
Leah Blevins is doing country music with a touch of folk. On 6th August 2021, the Kentucky-origin artist is releasing her debut album named First Time Feeling. I already had a listen – here are my thoughts.
Leah Blevins – About The Artist
Leah Blevins grew up in Sandy Hook, a small town in West Kentucky. There is a strong gospel background in her family – so that she first learned to play the guitar and the piano and later moved to Nashville to be in the heart of the country music scene. Her first major release was the EPWalk Home, which already lead to quite positive feedback. From then on, Blevins started to aim for a long-play release.
Leah Blevins – First Time Feeling – Track by Track
The ten track album lasts 35 minutes.
1. Afraid
Afraid creates a very own Leah Blevins sound, which is hard to describe in genres. There is a touch of a lot of styles in there. Thus, it is one of the most remarkable songs of the album.
2. Beautiful Disaster
Beautiful Disaster, one of the single releases of First Time Feelings feels much stronger like country and folk than the opening track. The rhythm of the track is one of the core drivers of the song – you feel to move even though the track is rather thoughtful and the vocals are at most mid-tempo.
3. First Time Feeling
Kiss me like you don’t know all my secrets Touch my body like you’ve never seen it Hold me close and love me like you mean it Take me back to that first time feeling
The third song is the title track of the album. The most melodic song on the album so far. This songs is a really nice country song with a powerful vibe and a very dominant melody. Good listen!
4. Little Birds
After the quite catchy title track, the quiet beginning of Little Bird almost feels shy. The song keeps on being rather fragile, even though there is an crescendo in the volume over the whole playtime. One of the most beautiful songs of the album to me.
Oh little bird take me home Cause I still love you after all that I know You told me your secret All your dirty little secrets You’re just what I want
5. Fossil
Fossil connects to the composition of the tracks before: country-alike melodies with rather limited instrumentation, but a rather present, almost dominant rhythm. In this song, the rhythm is sometimes even a bit of bothering to me, as it distracts me from listening to the vocals.
6. Magnolias
Especially in this part of the album, the sound of First Time Feeling feels a bit monotonous. Leah Blevins can rely on her great lyrics and stories, but there is not that much new in Magnolias compared to the songs before. At least, towards the end of the song, there is some more energy.
7. Clutter
After so many rather slow sounds, I was hoping for a rather uplifting song. Leah Blevins just did not know about my wishes when she compiled my album – and I listen to an extra-slow and emotional Clutter instead. Especially the kitschy backing vocals remind me of the backing music of corny 1980’s love movies. It is a good song, great vocals, very intense. Clutter is likely even better than the songs before – but it is just too close to these tracks as well.
8. Believe
Believe at least comes with a really groove. The songwriting is amazing, again.
Well I’m goin’ through the motions I’m an ocean of hope but There’s somethin’ in that water I am my mother’s daughter Just like she had tried to figure How to survive as the world got bigger I’m holdin’ a gun and pullin’ that trigger Goin’ from a child to a sinner Who believes I believe There’s more than I can see
9. Mexican Restaurant
One of these unfortunate tracks. Mexican Restaurant comes with a nice plot and it is having dramatic and energetic moments. But if you start a song even slower and the instrumentation even more minimal than before, the guests might have left the cantina before the tacos are ready. There is a skip key for that.
10. Mountain
No, I won’t walk without you Without you I am gone I won’t walk without you Without you I am gone
The album closes with a ballad. A song, which definitely feels to relate to Leah Blevins’ gospel background. The closing track in fact feels very nice.
Leah Blevins – First Time Feeling – Spotify
Here is Leah Blevins’s album on Spotify:
Leah Blevins – First Time Feeling – My View
I feel so sad. There is so much talent, so much skill in First Time Feeling – but the songs feel so similar. That leads to a monotonous listen experience. Even though the lyrics are good and tell interesting feelings and stories, it tires me too much. Bad luck this time – but I feel there is a lot of potential in this young lady with her characteristic voice.