![]() ![]() While the verse is rocking along at an even-handed pace, suddenly it’s as if a the chorus drops out of the clear blue sky like manna from heaven unleashing the kind of relentlessly catchy and exuberant hook that leaves you with chills. The track opens with a low register piano ostinato backed with a heavy drumbeat that acquires the flavor of a Fiona Apple song, at least until Yamagata drops into the chorus, which is truly where her talent lies. While each track is excellent, and the opening track is no exception, it is not until the “Letter Read”, the album’s second track, that her genius for songwriting is revealed. Yamagata’s voice is one of those rare gifts, a vocal quality that is instantly recognizable and distinctive, yet somehow classic, with an incredible range that covers both the sensual lows and the tender, melancholy highs. The first track, “Be Be Your Love”, opens with a throbbing drumbeat reminiscent of the pounding of a lover’s heart, setting the tone for the rest of the album’s concept and brilliantly contrasting the warmth and beauty of Yamagata’s breathy vocals. Yamagata wastes no time or sound space, and her attention to detail is palpable from the outset. ![]() Her songs continue to dwell on the theme of heartache, but her poignant lyrics, imaginative and innovative compositions, and sensual touch explore every exquisite laceration of the human heart found in various states of fragility. In addition to a couple remixes of tracks from her debut EP, she adds a dozen new and vibrant tracks that reveal both her unmatched talent as well as her versatility as a songwriter. On her first full-length album, Happenstance, Yamagata does just that. Bearing a remarkable resemblance to songsmiths Nora Jones and Fiona Apple, however, it wasn’t clear at the time if she could set herself apart from the pack despite her talents. Sultry singer-songwriter Rachael Yamagata burst onto the scene some time last fall with a five-song EP that could barely contain powerful hooks and sorrowful heartbreak sung masterfully to the tune of jazz-infused pop. ![]()
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