Based in L.A., songwriter Thomas Monroe releases his work under the moniker My Autumn Amor. Monroe began his musical journey at the age of only five, inspired by the likes of David Bowie, T-Rex, and King Crimson throughout his youth. Tragically he found himself homeless in his teens, often going days without eating food but still managing to play music all the while.
Monroe’s work has been well-received by many in the radio world. His single Your Life Is A Song (Ft. Yuki Noda) peaked at #51 on the Mediabase Chart, and he’s had airplay on KROQ Los Angeles, Alt 98.7, and over 240 college stations. His most recent release is an EP titled Quiet Girl, and this collection of five tracks is an excellent sampling of the wide range of sounds and styles Monroe is bringing to the front of his work.
The EP opens with the title track, Quiet Girl. This heartfelt ballad is soft and contemporary, with em0 and alt-rock undertones. The high vocal harmonies in the chorus are a standout moment, adding welcome depth and richness and amping up the emotion. This is followed by RSVP, taking us in an equally understated but slightly more major direction. With its clear electro-pop influence and heavy vocal effects, comparisons to the likes of Owl City or MGMT might be made.
Believe starts with a sort of nostalgiac, retro cadence, perhaps accentuated by the doubled vocal and the strummy acoustic guitar. But the track opens up into something with more modern energy, building into a dramatic chorus before descending back into a gentle verse. The hook is particularly uplifting, offering one of the stand-out lyrics on the album: “If you’re gonna believe in something, then believe in yourself“.
Monroe’s strongest vocal performance comes on Tempest Eye. There’s a purity and clarity in his voice that is especially apparent at the beginning that lends plenty of authenticity to the track, and it only seems to grow as it progresses. The pop-rock foundation of this track suits him particularly well and brings out a raspy, soulful element that isn’t seen in many places elsewhere on this project. Combine this with a particularly compelling synth arrangement and a driving drum beat that brings energy and power, and this track is a true highlight of this project.
Closing the project is The Out, starting with a haunting acoustic intro and building into heavy electronic sounds among moments of melodic dissonance. This feels like an amalgamation of all of Monroe’s preferred genres and styles he incorporates across this EP. Elements of modern rock, alternative, singer-songwriter, and electro-pop styles all make their way into this track but in a cohesive, very listenable way, making it a solid choice for the conclusion of this project.
There’s a little something for everyone on Quiet Girl. The range of styles being brought to the table by My Autumn Amor offers a great variety of musical flavors and textures, tied together by his well-crafted songs and balanced production. Dive into this vibrant, artistic, and genuine work on Bandcamp below.
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BELOW: Listen to Quiet Girl and connect with their website and social media platforms. Please support My Autumn Amor by visiting them online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing their music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!