Anjali Aurora
Baby
Hey there awesome followers, how ‘bout a big welcome to Anjali Aurora, from Woodstock, New York. Anjali has been playing piano and guitar since she was a kid, and got the bug for writing during COVID. The song we’re reviewing here, Baby, is her very first release - and it’s part of an LP that’s due out in the coming months. She’s got two more albums written and is anxious to get back in the studio to record them (it’s fun, isn’t it!) but in the meantime, let’s check out her very first release - here’s our review.
Love the way this starts. It’s mid-tempo, 82 BPM ish, key of D, with simple instrumentation of acoustic, voice and some padding underneath Anjali’s delivery of the first verse. Melody starts on the 3rd, an octave up from most of the instrumentation giving a nice separation in the presentation and mix (two very different things, mind you). Lyrically, it’s a good question - an honest question to ask when people break up - when the relationship is over. Might seem overtly obvious to ask, but the common phrases and questions we all encounter tend to make the best topics for songs. As much I like the intro, it’s the full band dropping in on the chorus that makes it stand out. I’m getting vibes from 10,000 Maniacs and The Cranberries as we move through the chorus and I love her use of the minor third in the melody over the major chord.
Second verse keeps the intensity up by changing the snare pattern to a side-stick tone and I really dig the extra tones - can’t tell if that’s a violin or harmonium on the D5 note but it’s a good choice. The subtle touches from the cello and piano add some nice depth to the track. Lyrically, she’s bringing out some honest and direct questions that we’ve all faced on the back end of a bad breakup, and the more I listen to it the more it resonates. Second chorus brings us back into the full band and I’m enjoying the ebb and flow of timing on the track. There’s a nice breakdown around 2:00 - call it an instrumental bridge that lets the listener bask in the mix and lyrics. With the third verse she makes the wise choice of breaking it all down and letting everyone come back in in their proper order and course. Last chorus brings in added strings and instrumentation and they tag the ending to emphasis the lyrics. Lovely track! Commendable for her first one out of the gate, definitely peaks our interest for the album that’s to come.
Welcome to the club Anjali, you’re a recording artist now. ;) Get ready for the least favorite question you’re bound to get….. “when’s your next song coming out?!” (Internal scream - “Ugh!, REALLY?! I JUST PUT OUT THIS ONE!”). ;)