Jennifer Alvarado – Songbird: Part One (2022)
Jennifer Alvarado is taking the first steps in a sonic journey through her EP Songbird: Part One. The first of the two-part project, this EP begins the journey of enduring and healing a toxic situation. Through the tracks, she soothes the pain of the situation while washing them with a healing balm, as she finds her way through the darkness.
While this is the subject that a lot of people can connect with, there is a personal touch to the tracks as we journey with her to find her unique musical sound. An immersive EP, it includes her previous single releases which have gained serious attention across the world. Recognised locally for her talents, she was named ‘One to Watch’ by the Nashville Songwriters Association in 2021 and this EP lets you know why.
The EP opens with the intense guitar line of ‘Rock This Way’. The foot-tapping beat of country rock meets the curl of the guitar to get you hooked to the sound. Alvarado’s vocals continue the country vibes before swinging to rockier territory, to take the track to a new level. This is a rather catchy track that instantly hooks you to the EP and has you eager to hear what the other tracks have to offer. As the track progresses, you are caught in a movement that swings between chilled vibes and the need to rock out. This energy has been packed into the vocals that make you want to shout out with Alvarado, while basking in the feeling of being around someone you love.
‘Curious’ has a softer feeling that continues to carry the sprinkling of country woven into a rock movement. There is an edge of pop in the light overtones of the track but this gives way to the power of Alvarado’s vocals. While you can hear the power of her vocals, there is a tenderness that edges toward tentative. It is like you are unsure about whether your emotions are returned. The lyrics draw you into the uncertain stages of a relationship where you are not sure if you should take the plunge into something deeper. It is a delicate melody that takes an important step in the journey of the EP. The melody is a little more subdued than the last, allowing the emotions of her vocals to ebb into your soul and fill your thoughts.
Things take a different turn on ‘Something’s Up’, with the drums opening the track. There is a feeling of suspicion woven into this track through both the vocals and music. The melody has this edge that makes you think the emotions could turn in many different ways. It is possible for everything to work out or for everything to explode into something terrible. This is echoed by the lyrics that bring a wealth of suspicion and feeling that the person you are in a relationship with is not being truthful. Alvarado’s vocals are packed with all the things you wish you can say at these times while unleashing frustration. In the flow of the EP, this track wonderfully highlights the moment that the softness changes and the toxic situation starts to creep in. It is a really powerful track that touches on gaslighting and the angered pain and frustration this leads to.
‘Filthy Water’ has a darkness that vibrates through the deep bass and heavy drums. Alvarado’s vocals also take a rock turn, losing some of the country vibes that have been sprinkled through the other tracks. Her voice has a deep twilight feeling as though it is the thoughts that run through your mind in the dark hours of the night. The melody has an equally dark feeling that creeps with a mistiness that grasps at your ankles. Through her performance, you can feel anger building at the toxic situation you find yourself in. The arrangement of this track is quite different to the others, showcasing the versatility of Alvarado’s musicality.
A lighter acoustic touch washes over you through the opening of ‘Questions’. The lightness of this track allows you to breathe, after the oppressive darkness of the last. There is an open honesty to Alvarado’s vocals as she asks all the questions you wish you could ask in the dying moments of a relationship. Through the track, you can feel that the relationship is coming to an end, or has done already. This is a song that leads you to a feeling of closure and an understanding that you need to move on. The catharsis of confronting someone with all the promises they made is woven into the core of the track and you can feel the wounds of the past scabbing over as you listen. It is a rather uplifting track for all the hurt questions that litter it.
The EP comes to a close with ‘By This Time Next Year’ which settles your soul with the gentle guitar opening. Resting below the guitar is a deep echoing beat that evaporates into the soundscape. Alvarado’s vocals are tinged with the heartbreak that comes after a breakup, even if the relationship was toxic. Through the contemplations of the lyrics, she lets us know that you can heal these wounds and you just need to take the time to do so. It is a slightly sad single that skirts the edges of self-deprecation as you consider all the ways you were foolish. Fortunately, this turns into healing as you come to realise you are stronger than this and in a year you will be able to look back without hurting.
Through the tracks of Songbird: Part One, Jennifer Alvarado takes us through a toxic relationship from start to finish, weaving the love, anger, frustration and sadness into beautiful melodics. Each track is another step in the story and beautifully brings a moment to life, from initial meetings, to frustrated changes and finally, heartbroken catharsis. As we walk through the relationship with her, each song showcases a new side of her music and highlights the versatility of her sound.
Find out more about Jennifer Alvarado on her website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
