Instant in Time
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
The Canadian songstress Paige Cora introduces herself on this gorgeous and thoughtful debut where she wrote and produced the entire affair herself.
“Bicycle Bells” starts the listen soft with strings and keys as Cora’s pipes make an immediate impression with their expressive beauty as the tune builds into a chamber influenced gem, and “Stray Balloons” follows with an emotive delivery of cautious and mature song craft.
The remainder of the album, thankfully, follows a similar approach, and includes the percussively strong and pop spirited “Instant In Time”, as well as the dreamy and atmospheric “Facing The Grass”. “Echoes”, one of the album’s best, then finds a soulful place to reside as Cora’s vocal prowess is on full display. “Forest Pine” ends the listen strong, where ambience is key in the tense yet pretty exit that isn’t short on synth and rhythm.
Cora built a name for herself playing in the Toronto rock band The Ruby Spirit, and more recently has been scoring film. With Instant In Time, the singer-songwriter is clearly coming into her own with this poetic, thoughtful and rich album that’s engaging from beginning to end.
Travels well with: Jordan Whitmore- Good Things; Karen Jonas- Butter