Eliza Harrison Smith
Got Away With It
Eliza Harrison Smith is a Nashville based singer-songwriter in the Pop genre who’s released five songs thus far. If you’re a fan of Phoebe Bridges and Kacey Musgraves, she’s one that you should add to your favorites. Originally from the DC area, she moved here in 2019 after earning a degree in English Literature from the University at Edinburgh. In just a few short years, she’s been able to partner up with some of the best producers and writers in town, as well as having been recognized by NSAI - which is not an easy accomplishment. Her latest track, “Got Away With It” is a thick and beautiful heartbreaker with solid production that matches her incredible voice - here’s our review.
Tracks starts in A flat with a piano riff, vocal hums and some sort of ethereal patch in the back. Right off the bat I dig the piano tone. The high end EQ is rolled off just enough to give it some bite, but it’s a darker tone overall with just the right amount of grease. That’s refreshing - being a piano player myself I get tired of hearing bright piano tracks. Love the chord progression, 1, minor 5, 4, with the addition of a minor 4 to turn into the chorus. Smart. She keeps the melody in tight with the progression by starting on the 2 and mainly moving downward. Lyrically, you know this is going to a heartbreaker.
When the chorus hits the melody moves up and it really opens the chord progression. That second chord sounds completely different know and it’s highlighted by her soft but confident falsetto. Her chest voice is exceptional too - solid, with just a hint of gravel. Reminds me of Kacey. This first chorus is nicely built - there’s not much change from the original progression but the change in melody, intensity in the vocals and added patches bump it up just enough, while keeping the focus where it should be - on the vocals and the story.
Drum patterns and additional keys move in with the start of the second verse and the mix massively opens up. The addition of the electric guitars adds just the right amount of heaviness and it carries perfectly into the chorus as it continues to build. She keeps the verse short to focus on the choruses and it works beautifully. In the second chorus, she’s switched from falsetto to chest voice for a lot of the lines to keep the intensity building - great stuff.
Bridge starts on the minor six and the drum pattern changes along with the compression on her voice and guitars. The final chorus is a stripped down arrangement that really reflects the exhaustion in her voice and lyrics. All that’s left is her voice and the piano. Excellent production work by Jared Atol! He’s done a great job of talking the listener on a ride that starts low, builds beautifully, and brings you back in one piece. It’s a cohesive mix and production that pays particular attention to the emotion of the lyrics and builds the tones around them. Well done!
Make sure you scroll down and check out her socials and other tracks. “Just Friends” is a favorite - it’s based around an acoustic guitar riff but has a lot of the same solid production qualities as this one (albeit with acoustic drums). “August” is a beautiful track that has gotten her the most spins so far - and understandably so. Great chorus, great vocal production, another solid heartbreaker from her! (Hey, her Insta bio said she’s “probably writing a sad song” so don’t blame me for calling her out. ;) ) Good luck with this release, Eliza, we hope to catch you around town soon!