by Sarah Groth
Who doesn’t secretly dream of traveling back in time? Close your eyes while listening to Blush‘ (aka Maura Lynch) new self-titled album and her music will transport you to a time where today’s vintage was viewed youthful. The indie pop-rock singer collaborated with musicians Jonathan Campolo, Nick Campolo and Andy Chugg to create eight stunning tracks full of flashback love stories your heart strings do not want to miss out on.
Lynch’s songs are uncomplicated and terse in length with lyrics revealing carefully studied glimpses and snippets of romantic emotions. In the track, “Baby Don’t Blush” Lynch illustrates the dizzying, nervous behavior engendered from falling in love with another. Throughout the song the guitar and drums dance forward while her airy voice boldly admits, “When I look into your eyes and I get that funny feeling, oh, baby, don’t say why. All I gotta do is keep pretending that someday our love will be true, but, ’til then, I cannot see you.” It’s this combination between hopefulness and uncertainty that will draw in the listeners who wear their hearts on their sleeves, while also covering it with an extra protective layer. Her cover of Mariah Carey’s song, “Fantasy” contains a similar lovestruck expression. This track is full of soothing notes and hushed vocals with words that evince a suppressed crush.
Several songs on this album divulge the selfless depths of compassion and the routes this emotion tends to travel down. “Labor Days” expresses the want to support and comfort a relationship throughout life’s unpredictable nature. The instrumental track, “Fire Island” shares an akin optimistic vibe to the previous song by the way the instruments flow with a certain hopeful elegance and growing confidence. While, “Daisy Chain” is notably more upbeat and ebullient compared to the sedated, ghostly track, “Lunching Alone”, each of these songs reveal the balance between sincerity and self-seeking tranquility found within romance.
If you happen to be contemplating giving out a second chance, you should give “You Win” and “Just Kidding” a listen. “You Win” details the singer’s relationship troubles in lyrics, “He’s got more excuses than answers. Only has one thing to say.” With a voice of vexation, Lynch resolves to letting go. At 2:04 the instruments resemble the feeling of release as their notes leisurely wander about at a relaxed state. Perhaps fueled from pervious frustration, the tone of “Just Kidding” possess a rough, hurried feel through the bass, guitar and drums. After Lynch recounts the times her partner left and lied, she surprisingly sings, “I’ll give you one more chance, if you wanted to try.”
Whether you label yourself a romantic or not, Blush is needed poetry for the heart and soul. Give these feel-good complied love stories a chance and let them either take you down memory lane or amplify your current heart’s condition. The raw and honest talent Lynch displays in this album is worth every single second.
Rating: 8.6/10
