Chandelier & Bloom
Self-Released, 2023
9/10
The Minneapolis resident and singer-songwriter Mae Simpson makes for an impressive debut here, where an all star cast of musicians are on board for these diverse 13 songs.
The bright and soaring “Cap Guns” opens the listen with Simpson’s booming voice amid animated brass and Aaron Silverstein’s meticulous drumming for the powerful rock climate, and “California-Carolina” follows with cultured song craft and plenty of funk spirit thanks to Ricardo J. Romero’s frisky percussion.
In the middle, the more folk inspired “Plain Clothes Dream” uses Jorgen Wadkins II’s warm acoustic guitar alongside Simpson’s poetic pipes, while “Why” benefits from thick guitar and David Kellermann’s throbbing bass for the anthemic rock landscape.
Approaching the end, “Call It What You Will” recruits both power and melody, as Simpson hits some high notes with ease, and “Mountains” exits with a charming intimacy that uses mandolin from Wadkins with much grace.
A listen that successfully balances rock, pop, folk, R&B and funk, Paul Pederson’s trumpet and Brian Powers’ saxophone certainly add much to the formula and complement Simpson’s stunning voice that everyone should be familiar with.
Travels well with: Leslie Vincent- About Last Night; Brynn Andre- Honeymoon