Before I say anything, Hannah Lou Woods has a fragile, achingly beautiful voice. It phases, lilts and raises between falsetto and full voice; it paints the boundaries of a realm filled with butterflies and an always soothing afternoon sun. So, her latest EP, Meet Me at the Pine Tree, epitomizes this distinct, magical vocalization, and its beauty is only uplifted by simple but sonically spacious acoustic instrumentation.
Wait. Who is Hannah Lou Woods?
She’s been very busy. Educated at Berklee College of Music in Boston with a dual degree in Music Therapy and Songwriting, she handily won several prestigious music awards, including the Great American Song Contest (Pop Category), and made it to the final round of the John Lennon International Songwriting Contest. There are more awards/accolades, but we have good music to discuss.
How good is this album, really?
Oh, it’s gorgeous. It starts with “Fallen from the Stars,” featuring a rich, earthy piano joined by ethereal vocals unmoored by gravity. It’s a single voice within a starry sky reverb, and it bends itself until the song grows confidence underneath.
And when we hit the first verse, it sounds a bit like Adele; the phrasing of words, especially. But when it lifts off, when it bounces to your ears from the atmosphere, it becomes its own beseeching thing. It’s a thin howling between stars, sonorous whispers, padded vocal angles, softly sung circles, and the quiet pronouncement of true feelings passed between lovers on a formerly unremarkable park bench. Yeah, this one is AMAAAAZING.
“Loved by You (Sedona Part I)” is more playful with muted acoustic guitar strumming, clean drumming and walking bass. It finishes with a more assertive beat and answering vocals over a harmonized refrain. Good stuff.
“Breathe in Love (Sedona Part II)” continues the former song’s melodic theme, but much smaller in sonic scale. And then it becomes its own thing with a powerful, and powerfully sung, chorus. It’s proclaimed with great passion from the mountain tops, this one.
“Contemplating You” is exactly that – personal, with voice and acoustic guitar, and lyrically contemplative. And although the instrumentation remains, the song’s power edges up by degrees until returning to that softer solo melancholy.
The EP ends with “Lonely Song” – another more playful, assertive track. It’s a solid drumbeat over clean, plucked-with-attitude acoustic guitar. It ends the EP on a sunny note, and reminds you why Hannah Lou Woods’ pop stylings are so well regarded.
Is it good? It really is. In fact, I’m quite sure you’ll love this EP. Why? Because you love great music with incredible production and incredibly powerful, dynamic vocals. And this EP? It has exactly that. Specifically, ALL of that. Recommended.
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BELOW: Listen to Hannah Lou Woods and check her out on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, and Apple Music. Please support Hannah Lou Woods by visiting her website and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing her music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music
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