Kelsey Montanez – Everly (2025)
Celebrating life from the joyful, tragic, and even those “meh” days, singer-songwriter Kelsey Montanez captures each moment in her moving melodies. While we sometimes feel things are running by rote, Montanez understands that every second is like a fingerprint – almost the same, but not entirely – and she expresses this in her diverse style. A happy day might lean toward pop sounds, but a sadder moment lies in the depths of indie rock; today, we explore Montanez’s discography with her recent release, ‘Everly’.
Following her well-received 2024 singles, ‘Kick The Habit’ and ‘Infinite Bloom’, the US-based songstress daubs her sonic palette with different styles. From the synth-y slide of dream-pop to a heavier peep of indie-rock, ‘Everly’ teeters between dreaminess and hard-hitting rock flecks. The bold guitar soars above like a sheen of classic rock, viewing each movement – a particular note to the guitar solo leading out in vintage fascination. Yet, as much as the bold guitar holds its own, it is the retro glitter-ball harmonies that bind ‘Everly’ with a punch of soulful old-school disco.
Losing yourself in a swirl of kaleidoscopic music, Montanez ensnares your senses with elegance. For me, it’s a veil of velvety music hugging you close then leaving you with platform shoes in a flashback of John Travolta dancing ala Saturday Night Fever. The thing is, as much as ‘Everly’ has you bouncing about with its… um, bounciness, it revolves around a heartfelt, laidback, “I’m travelling on a dream” theme. A song about falling in love, what could be more perfect than toe-tapping danceability wafting through a romantic haze?
The ninth track from Montanez’s upcoming debut album, ‘Everly’ fits into a multi-coloured puzzle, bringing the sleek 70s disco melody to a mishmash of folk, blues and rock. Based on previous material, Montanez showcases her innovative originality; however, I think ‘Everly’ might be one of the best fits for her harmonic, sleek, soulful vocals. Then again, we have to remember she is not to be pigeon-holed, making the sounds suit her instead of adhering to the rules. ‘Everly’ is sincere, earnest, and heartfelt, and it might be one of my favourite Montanez singles. I cannot wait for more from this talented artist.
For more from Kelsey Montanez, check out her Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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