Cloe Wilder is a 15-year-old singer/songwriter from Clearwater, Florida and this isn’t our first time reviewing their music, you can check out what we’ve said before by clicking here, and if you want to find out more about Cloe then why not check out this interview we did with her as well, by clicking here. Today, however, I will be reviewing her debut EP ‘Teenage Lullabies’ which was released on January 21st 2021.
‘It’s True’ opens with ambient noise and the pop crackle effect you get on old records, backed up by a percussive heartbeat that flows throughout the track. And then Cloe’s voice, which is just perfect, deep enough to get lost in, powerful and emotive and has a depth of maturity and sincerity that some people never develop, let alone at the tender age of fifteen. I already knew I liked her music so I was excited for the release but I could not anticipate how blown away I was from the first track.
‘I Wanna Be Alone With You’ kicks things up a notch, faster and more energy, harder percussive and bass driven instrumentals that perfectly support her vocals, which work well within this punchier, rhythmic track. You also still get a strong sense of her emotions and intent, not just through the lyrics but the feel of it, nothing is just what is outright spoken, instead there is a subtext and emotional core of this track that’s very poignant.
‘Layla’ slows things down just a touch, and shows us yet another side of her music, the slower more contemplative melody soothing after the previous track, and her vocals just wash over you, the guitar almost dancing with her voice throughout. I love songs like this, I like to call them thinking tracks, because you can put them on, feel the lyrics and melody in your core and just have a good think.
‘On Your Side’ again changes things up significantly, mid level in terms of speed and tempo but just because it takes a more balanced note doesn’t mean it isn’t a powerful track in its own right. I think so far this one is the catchiest, something about the melody just really sticks in your head when you listen to it, in no small part due to the hook in the chorus.
‘1,000 Degrees’ has big energy, sonorous, acoustic strings that build richly, those alone would be wondrous to just listen to for a while, but they are built on and enhanced by Cloe’s breathtaking voice which just steals the show, so to speak. She has such vocal control and a defined style that I’m honestly more amazed with each track.
‘Call Me If You Need Me’ opens with piano notes, and a building percussive underbeat that helps to gather momentum as this track grows in energy. It has some of the most soulful vocals of the entire EP which is really saying something. You know when you hear a song, and you just think why isn’t this person already a household name, well this song has me thinking why everyone doesn’t already know her because talent like this should be celebrated.
‘In the Next Life’ has harp, or at least stringed chords to open, certainly not what I was expected from the final track on the EP, but they blended well and further boosted her voice, the semi regular percussive beat added just a little grit to the track which if anything made it better. This was a superb closer to what has been one of the best debut EP’s I’ve had the pleasure of listening to, and I can only sit back and think, I can’t wait to see what’s next.
So that’s what I thought of Cloe Wilder’s EP ‘Teenage Lullabies’ and if you want to check that out then head on over to Spotify. Make sure and support the artist by following them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram by visiting their website.
First Published on: https://offtherecordblog.org/
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