I've been waiting for this album since she released Love/Art Memoirs, which is hands-down my favorite album of 2012. Love/Art Memoirs gave a personal account of a relationship that she was either involved in, or knew about, from the past. DreamsInAnalog speaks more of a present, continual, fluid relationship that is familiar and resurfacing from the past that she's willing to give this "love" another go. You will get the run down from the lead track "So Here It Goes" featuring Paris Strother from KING!
DreamsInAnalog was written and produced by Alex Isley, which I just love for several reasons. The project is very personal, which is evident in all the details in production, the vocal arrangements, the lyrics, the content and even the cover art speaks volumes in itself. I feel when you produce your own album you know exactly what and how you are going to convey the song to the listener, and there's really no right or wrong way...because it's your art. Oh, what a feeling. Some of you may know that I have a special place in my heart for 7 minute songs, so the fact that the average duration of each track on this album is 5 minutes gives DreamsInAnalog bonus points on top of my standard criterion to give an album the "baby Stace Stamp of Approval" lol. It's weird because at first listen I didn't realize the length of the songs because you are caught up in the musical journey. From her soft, warm, angelic, saturating tone of her vocals to the super sexy, deep drums along with the pitter patter pulsating drums that give each song a heartbeat, the percussive samples and lush pads create the perfect movement and life throughout the album. The last thing I have to mention about her production is that she picks the best sounds that don't compete for position in the mix, so that you can hear and feel the depth of each track. Brilliant.
Alex Isley has a gift of pulling you into her relatable stories and makes you understand what you're feeling in your own relationship. DreamsInAnalog gives hope at that love that hasn't left and is still there to explore, and you find that after all this time you "Still Care". You may be reaching "For the Stars" and questioning if coming back to this familiar place is the right move, but "The Other Side" of it all is that the sun is shining on your new day, and just from their look and from hearing their voice makes you smile. So, it's all worth it to forgive and try our hand at love again because being with you feels so good, and to just come "Closer" because there's nothing better "About Him". It's so funny that I have so many instant favorites on this album and DreamsInAnalog just dropped today. This album will be in heavy rotation for awhile. There's just so much to listen to, and each time you listen to a song you will hear or be reminded of something different than the last listen. Great feeling.
Lastly, I LOVE the cover art. I guess I'm an "analog girl caught up in a digital world". Digital, is so cut and dry, bright with pre-determined settings. It's simple to deal with and the channels and signal flow paths are endless, but sometimes too many choices may lead to never achieving the desired or destined outcome. Analog, there are more gray areas with the potential settings, it's more hands on and out the box and not as many options, but it's fluid, it's continuous, it's noisy, it's warm, it's the foundation, it's the beginning....yeah...."DreamsInAnalog" is the beginning of a new era................
Make sure to support Alex Isley and the beautiful music she's creating for us by downloading her album and connect with her on her social networks to ACTIVELY show your support. Just looking and saying you like something isn't enough for independent artists to get to the next level. The numbers are EVERYTHING! Connect with Alex Isley here: Facebook, Twitter, Soundcloud
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