Kelsey Arsenault’s Gallery Walls
I don’t know if anyone else feels this way, but I feel a definitely shift in my musical taste as summer turns into fall.
Every year around this time I cue up my Joni Mitchell and James Taylor playlists. For some reason, this time of year I gravitate to thoughtful, introspective, beautiful music.
This year Joni and James are going to have to wait, though — Kelsey Arsenault’s just-released debut album Gallery Walls is meeting all my needs. I’ve been listening and re-listening, and discovering something wonderful each time.
It’s sophisticated, nuanced pop music that just sounds great but, it’s more than that. If you really listen, you’ll realize it ‘feels’ great, too. I chalk that up to authenticity. There’s a beautiful congruency between the lyrics, Arsenault’s delivery, and the music that surrounds them.
According to Arsenault the album is inspired by the idea that there are no answers; only stories. I think that’s part of the reason it’s so compelling — you can find yourself in these tales. Sometimes sort of literally, I love that she chooses to definitively set her songs in Newfoundland and Labrador. At various points on the album she makes references Ron Hynes, the Village Mall fountain and Bannerman Park.
“It’s been years of hard work in the studio and in my heart, and I’m proud of each and every song,” writes Arsenault on Facebook. As far as I’m concerned she absolutely should be. The song craft here is something special.
I’ll be playing this album for years to come.
Check out wherever you get your music.
Arsenault has a 2 shows coming up at Bannerman Brewing Co in St. John’s. to celebrate the release. As of writing there were still some tickets available for October 16 — you can get them here.
Listen to Kelsey Arsenault and a whole lot of other great music from Newfoundland and Labrador on the NL Mixtape.
Got music recommendations for me?
Send them to: robert@productofnewfoundland.ca
