Nama Ray Invites Listeners To Her "Living Room Sessions"
: Living Room Sessions
: Nama Ray
Overall Grade/Rating: 9/10
Production: 8/10
Lyrics: 8/10
Melody: 9/10
Execution: 9/10
Subject Matter: 9/10
Replay Value: 10/10
Fav Songs: Let's Talk It Over, Join Me For Happy Days
Least Fav Songs: Higher
Originality: 10/10
Cover Art: 9/10
Spin or Skip: Spin
Critique: Londonian Nama Ray wrapped up 2017 with Living Room Sessions, a four track easy listening experience. The blue-eyed soul singer delivers a thoughtful love driven message throughout the entire project. The opening track, Let۪s Talk It Over, is the most single worthy out of the four songs, and also the most upbeat. Nama۪s rasp and gospelesque chord progressions puts Let۪s Talk It Over in its rightful place as the opening to the EP.
There are no groovy baselines or vibes on the EP, and at times the anticipation builds to hear a beat drop, but it never happens (Higher, arguably, may be the only exception). That distinctive quality places Nama۪s art in its own unique lane. Reminiscent in some ways of Norah Jones۪ debut, Come Away With Me, in terms of introspectiveness, Nama provides a soundtrack to one of life۪s most complicated experiences, Love.
After getting through Nama۪s catchy and highly replayable single, Let۪s Get Over It, passion and solemnness sets in with Maybe, a piano solo about Nama longing to be with her lover in a faraway place. Pinot Noir, a cozy cable knit sweater, a fireplace, and a romantic novel are must haves while journeying through the remainder of the tracklist.
The transition from Maybe into Join Me For Happy Days is easy on the ears, the sounds blend well. Only difference between the two songs lies with the latter because of the staccato chords throughout the hook. Additionally, more of Nama۪s ability to utilize voice inflections shines here as well with the ooouuuuu drawn out over the piano chords.
Nama ends the EP on emotional hopeful stride, production wise. As far as content is concerned the same woefulness follows all the way from the beginning to the closing track. What makes Higher stand out is it۪s literally a break. A break from the two minor key compositions Maybe and Join Me For Happy Days.
To applaud Nama for displaying authentic musicianship is respect for the art of music. In the age of playlists another refreshing quality to uncover is Nama۪s ability to produce a solid project that flows in a set direction.
