Look Out Where You’re Going
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
Listen to Look Out Where You’re Going
The Brooklyn songstress Nicole Mercedes returns with a sophomore album, and much like her first record and full band work, it’s a charming display of synth and guitar fueled melodies that’s never short on beauty and doesn’t shy away from melancholy, too.
“Last Hike” starts the album with an ethereal quality as synth and backing vocals complement the hazy opener, and “Filters” continues the dreamy quality with light percussion that approaches a chamber-pop approach.
In the middle, “Motel” offers a vocally strong track that’s on the softer side of indie-pop, while “Watering” moves with a bare quality of cautious elegance before building into an album highlight of soaring musicianship that’s nothing short of captivating.
“At Ease” and “Mediterranean” bookend the listen, where the former glides with a warm beat and playful instrumentation, and the latter exits with a gentle pop quality that’s a bit haunting, too.
A very personal album that’s full of intimate song craft, the multi-instrumentalist moves delicately here, and from a lush and very self-aware position that should bring her legions of new fans on this very well executed 2nd album.
Travels well with: Flocke- Bye Polar Bear; Rachael Sage- Character