Hudson Valley-based songwriter and storyteller Reeya Banerjee is back with a brand new nine-track rock album, This Place – the artist’s second full length release following her 2022 debut, The Way Up.
This is more than a mere collection of songs. This Place is a concept album actively blurring the line between memoir and melody; each song snapshotting a specific place and memory from Reeya’s past which, once put together, trace out the “emotional geography of her life,” as put in Reeya’s own words. Except, these songs resonate far beyond Reeya’s personal journey. Reeya’s background as a storyteller allows her listeners to twine their own experiences within hers, as Reeya melts both deeply personal and universally felt perspectives into one striking collection of songs.
“Picture Perfect” opens the record with a thick douse of 90s nostalgia. Pop punk, grunge and fresh teen rock vibes coalesce to craft an instant flashback, artfully reframed against an adult’s perspective as Reeya’s lyrics look back across lost images, lovers and fading memories.
“Snow” takes a moody dive into bluesy darkness and distortion, its indie rock backdrop topped with addictive melodies that almost feel like Oasis-meets-Paramore. Then, psychedelia steals the limelight, track three “Blue and Grey” taking a Beatles-like dive into pop rock’s colourful oddities, ribboned with an anthemic chorus.
This Place was hyped up by four preceding singles: “Misery of Place,” “For The First Time,” “Runner” and album-closer “Upstate Rust” – each transforming the perks and quirks of turn-of-the-century rock into our modern age, and each an undeniable hit for this reviewer.
Splitting apart the singles, album tracks “Sink In” and “Good Company” flesh out the record with high-energy retro rock, featuring lyrics you can belt at the top of your lungs, Alanis Morissette-like acoustics and ambiences that could soundtrack almost any moment or mood.
But is it any good?
100%.
Reeya Banerjee cites The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, U2, Fiona Apple, Alanis Morissette and Peter Gabriel amongst her influences; a bright and vibrant whirlpool of rock inspiration which reverberates through every beat and song segment.
So, if these artists perk your interest, Reeya Banerjee’s This Place is set to be your new fave. Reeya doesn’t just lift inspirations, but reshapes these deathless atmospheres against her unique and vivid concept, crafting songs which feel instantly unforgettable and oddly comforting, as if the golden age of pop/rock never passed us by.
Our verdict: Highly Recommended.
—-
BELOW: Listen to Reeya Banerjee and check out her music on Bandcamp, Spotify and more. Please support Reeya Banerjee by visiting her website and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing her music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music.
(Want to have your music reviewed on The Ark of Music? Click HERE.)
Follow, stream, download & connect with REEYA BANERJEE online:
