Lapsley and Carol

Today I have some music for you by the English singer-songwriter known as Lapsley. She is a new player in the music field, this song being one of the singles off her debut album. I was completely entranced by the song the first time I heard it. Instrumentally, there are so many wonderful things happening, so many beautiful sounds and harmonies that all weave together to create this magical sound. This song is like an emotional autobiography, one that really gets us inside the heart and head of Lapsley. She purposefully draws us in, so that we may share in those same emotions whether it be joy and ecstasy or pain and sadness. This ballad is a fantastically chilled out and mixed track. There are so many instruments being used in this song, but at the same time, we get a good balance of some electronic work as well. The producer of this song also happens to be the producer of The XX, a band that focuses heavily on instrumentals and created the most ambient and precise sound. My absolute favorite part of this song is the fact that Lapsley has included a harp in the performance. And a very prominent one too! It is not often that we get to hear the enchanting strum of a harp, but when we do, it tends to be able to change the entire feel of the song. It automatically gives a song this sort of softness and comfort, a feeling that we feel of so few. This song is also subtly  upbeat, something interesting to note despite the rather saddening lyrics of the song. The instrumentals depict that complexity so beautifully, with deep layers all coming together. We have the echoed layers of the singing in conjunction with the multiple instruments and gentle harmonies provided by the string instruments. There is also this lovely melody that is reserved specifically for a wind instrument, and while that melody is not the main melody, catching the ear of it is something that is just heartwarming. It has this fairy and dream-like sound. But the repeated echo of losing the one she loves, that plays in the background and pulls us away from that fairy tale world that is believed to the world of love. Lapsley has very soft but intense vocals, a combination you do not see often. With the way the song sounds, though, it seems quite perfect to juxtapose the vocals and pain of love with the instrumentals and ecstatic moments of being in love. Lapsley is an incredible up and coming artist, and this song is just spectacular. This is an artist we need to keep our eye on because I know we will get some indescribable work from her. Today's instrumental song is from the movie Carol. Now I picked this specifically because of the shared elements between the two songs. This composition features a back and forth between the stringed harp and the winds. That inclusion is something that made this score the beautiful masterpiece that it is. Why not showcase just how speechless the music can make you? I hope you enjoy the music and please feel free to comment!