E. James Smith – Afterlife Without You
If you spend enough time on this planet, you develop a sense of humor. It doesn’t matter if you weren’t exactly born with and received a thorny, unpleasant personality instead. You’ll develop it to impress girls and, most importantly, as a means of survival. And, you may just realize that it’s the quality of your sense of humor that determines just how well you’ll do in life.
“The life of a lonely man passes very slowly!” That’s what E. James Smith sings, echoing the great misanthrope Stephen Morrissey of Manchester. But Smith isn’t sad at all. Or, if he is, there’s a smile on his face to hide it. How could it be any other way? After all, the people who can manage the loss of a loved one must possess both a good sense of humor and a bit of a sense of self-preservation.
E. James Smith sounds bubbly, quirky, even jesting as he ponders the great questions about life and what happens when that’s done. “Afterlife Without You” is a charming, sunny retro-pop tune about the misery of an eternity of separation. But it’s cheerful, don’t worry. Smith makes good use of his breezy vocals as well as the old-fashioned instrumentation. It all sounds so soothing that it almost makes eternity sound like a worthwhile proposition… if spent in the right company.
Chloe Louise Brisson – Kind of Woman
There’s an aspirational component to pop culture. And, now that most pop culture has moved over to the internet, its stars are free, even encouraged, to share all of the details of their lives that might make others envious.
Of course, it shouldn’t have worked this way. You might have assumed that the stars would’ve been hungry to use this newfound communication tool for good. Surely, they’d want to spread messages about peace, share a list of books they’ve been reading, or give advice on cooking.
Nah, for the most part, those fighting the fight are doing it for themselves. People describe themselves as “kings,” “queens,” or “bosses.” If they, indeed, have any of that power, they’re not sharing it.
Chloe Louise Brisson’s “Kind of Woman” is trying to lead by example and, along the way, entertain and pay her dues to the genre of music that started it all. Brisson’s interpretation of the blues is enough to convince you of the singer’s qualities. Her stubbornness in representing herself and her values throughout might just help to inspire.