Beautiful & Strange
Blue Elan, 2020
9/10
A longtime singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, Chelsea Williams started performing before she was a teenager, and by 21 was a full time busker. It wasn’t long until names like Ron Howard and Sheryl Crow noticed Williams, and this 2nd album on the Blue Élan label should hold anyone’s attention with her catchy formula where roots, jazz and psyche ideas are in attendance.
“Wasted” starts the listen with some ambience before settling into a warm, breezy Americana strummer where the vocals soar and the melody shines, and “Red Flag” follows with summery acoustic guitar as Williams sings with smooth grace on the infectious country-pop stunner.
In the middle, “Something Sweet” brings a darker quality to her timeless song craft with psychedelic nods, while “Muskegon” gets atmospheric and introspective amid a dreamy approach. “Cornerstone” then brings the listen into a lush setting as strings and shuffling percussion at greatly to the alluring appeal.
Near the end, “The Best Is Yet To Come” unfolds with much sophistication in a waltz like fashion, and “Fffun” exits the listen playfully with a bare and quirky delivery where something resembling a kazoo even makes an appearance.
Right now, Williams might best be known for her national commercial singing a Maroon 5 tune, but it won’t be long until her own charming brand of sweet yet gritty songwriting makes her a household name.
Travels well with: Mary Bragg- Violets As Camouflage; Janiva Magness- Change In The Weather