Rejection Letter
Self-Released, 2021
8/10
A singer, songwriter and pianist, this 3rd album from Mackenzie Shivers had the artist secluding herself in Cape Cod to flesh out a personal record where Yuka Tadano offers bass, Cody Rahn sits behind the drum kit, and string arrangements from Oliver Kraus add much diversity to Rejection Letter.
“Afraid” starts the listen with warm keys as Shivers’ emotive, poetic singing enters the haunting strings and very sophisticated climate, and “The Roses” follows with bare but impactful drumming as a folk influenced setting unfolds with much beauty.
At the halfway point, “Blistered Sun”, a song about touring life ending due to Covid, is a powerful and emotive display of versatile singing amid the piano balladry, while “100 Miles” flows with subdued melodies and some pop sensibilities in a very eloquent, dreamy environment that centers around social injustice and political strife. “Butterscotch”, an album stand out, then blends a firm beat, orchestral strings and mesmerizing song craft that is so well documented, it lingers long after the song ends.
Shivers impresses to the end, as the acoustic guitar and gorgeous singing of “Gold” resides in indie-folk territory, and “Rejection Letter” exits the listen vocally strong and lyrically thoughtful as hypnotic keys and sparse drumming complement the atmospheric finish.
This was Shivers first time penning songs on the guitar, and her cinematic, forthright and electro-acoustic approach allows each track to radiate in its own light with a genuine, timeless and memorable spirit.
Travels well with: Brigitte DeMeyer- Seeker; Lynne Hanson- Just Words