In our day and age, everyone knows that if you come up with the right song and sing it in the right way, you could get rich and famous. That’s the dream, isn’t it? However, what all of us should remember from time to time is that since the dawn of humanity, people have been singing songs in order to ease their souls of worries, to make their bodies gain strength, and to try to see better days ahead.
And, if you don’t believe me, this would be the perfect time to dig into your music collection or favourite playlists and check. You’ll find that spirit particularly in music genres today dubbed “retro.” You’ll notice it in blues, folk, country, or gospel.
But that spirit deserves to be kept alive in modern pop music as well. Inspired by the soulful music of all, and looking to steal away some of the tension of modern life, Louisa Rowley delivers a fun, hopeful collection of songs, gathered on the EP “Anxious Soul: Deluxe Edition.”
The record opens with “STOP!,” a letter to the self, a reminder to trust rather than doubt when, inevitably, trouble creeps in. Built on a blues template and featuring Rowley’s pleasant, youthful vocals, “STOP!” feels like a tune one would chant in order to give them strength throughout the day.
The rest of the EP is dominated by a similar energy. On “To Be Me,” the singer-songwriter delves even deeper into the blues. She lets her resonant vibrato lead the way as she honestly sings about love and attachment. And, while it’s all bittersweet, the music also feels like an antidote to broken hearts.
There’s a taste of old-fashioned soul on “A Peaceful Retirement,” a song that allows Rowley to showcase her vocal range, and the bass-heavy “Move On,” where the songwriter promises to stop working against herself and glances toward a new road.
The final two tracks benefit from a well-produced, expansive sound. That’s why this deluxe edition features tender, intimate-sounding acoustic versions of these tunes.
Where does it leave us? Killing the blues with a good tune. Much of “Anxious Soul” feels like an invitation to face your deepest fears and to use the power of music as a tool to ensure better days ahead.
