Adena Atkins

In polling new artists for our April Indie Music Artist for 2012, we were stopped dead in our tracks by the immediately captivating production elements that emerged from the otherwise subdued but chordally advanced bed tracks of this artist’s offering.

A sort of kindred spirit to Kate Bush’s Cloudbusting, the musical maturity of Stanley Clarke’s Animal Logic project, all the while coming forward in an knowing albeit understated manner, Adena Atkins’ remarkable debut stood out and has become a mainstay on our playlist.

A graduate of Berklee College of Music, this California native has also studied with author Natalie Goldberg and at CalArts. Atkins is a recipient of the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts’ merit award. Within a year of moving to Seattle, she teamed up with producer Jay Pinto to record her stunning solo debut The Slowest Curve as well as a joint EP under the moniker pandagreen.

MusicZeitgeist asked the artist to talk a little about the history and development of the project:

MZ: Who?
I’m an artist working in song. I was once certain I’d grow up to be a painter, but then I saw Laurie Anderson perform during her Nerve Bible Tour. Her work is so beautiful—I too want to occupy time gracefully! This desire has slowly carried me into song and now I’m hooked. I won’t stop!

Luckily I’ve met up with some extremely talented teachers, friends, and cohorts along the way. Jay Pinto for instance, the producer of my EP. He held the space for my wild ideas. To give you an example of what he had to deal with, while discussing the arrangement for the song “Hot Gray Morning” I told him it should sound – and I quote — like a funeral parade covered in maple syrup. And he did it! He did it and he kept a straight face.

MZ: What?
The Slowest Curve is my debut and it’s a song cycle. Each song takes place in the morning in front of a window in a different season of the year. I hoped the structure would help clearly reveal the year’s passing.

Much of the inspiration for this project came from impressionism, which is a little old fashioned, so I’m delighted with how modern and electronic The Slowest Curve became. The technology allowed room for every sound we could imagine. There are typewriters in there, a creaking boat, various keyboards, hurdy-gurdy, vocoder, bassoon, a string quartet, a gas mask voice-over, bells, a moon landing, and a gong. And me too! It’s a party!

MZ: Where?
I’m originally from Ventura, in southern California. I wrote The Slowest Curve when I moved to Boston to go to the Berklee College of Music. The distinct seasons there were a shock to me, so naturally I had to write to them! I’ve since moved back to the west coast. The Slowest Curve was produced in Seattle, where I live now. Maybe next I should write something about rain!

MZ: Next?
I’m scheming up a music video for April Rain, the spring song. Fuchsia Foxxx, one of Seattle’s premier burlesque artists, has agreed to star in it, so even though I’m brand new to video I’m confident that this will be a real treat.

I’m also dreaming of my next album already. In my dreams it’s a glittering pop thing, full length this time. The songs coming in seem to have a lot in common; they hold extremes like loyalty and betrayal, darkness and light. Despite the thread, I don’t foresee it becoming a concept album like The Slowest Curve.

Adena Atkins’ Vital Links:
Adena Atkins on Facebook
Adena Atkins on Twitter
Adena Atkins on MySpace
Adena Atkins on ReverbNation
Adena Atkins Official Site
Listen now to “Hot Gray Morning” by Adena Atkins and other artists we have featured at the MusicZeitgeist.com’s free Indie Music Jukebox - Music Zeitgest

There was a time when hot chicks could not only sing and perform, but could write legendary songs and create memorable musical arrangements.

There was Kate Bush, PJ Harvey, Alanis Morrisette and Tori Amos, to name but a few of these extraordinary talents.

I said was, because there really was a time, when music mattered. When artists bared their creative souls and denuded their fragile spirits in the name of art…and record sales was almost a by product.

So, even though today, you may still find new releases by these artists. The music business machine has in most cases, drastically changed how their music is produced. Major label artists are trapped into a ‘must sell’ situation that often forsake pure art to achieve the commercial success, required to pay the massive bills they produce.

It’s the dog chasing it’s tail theory.

Tori Amos managed to escape that trap last year with her “Night of Hunters” album, when she returned to her ethereal sounding piano driven arrangements.

In the absense of mainstream musical art, where do we look, when we need to go beyond Lady Gaga to feed our hunger for creative female artists, who supercharge our emotions and fill our intellectual souls.

Ever heard of Adena Atkins?

Adena is a potpourri mix of Alanis Morrisette and PJ Harvey. A little tiny sprinkle of Bjork and a whole lot of Tori Amos stirred in.

But that’s just the start. To give you an idea of where Adena may be coming from.

Where she is heading, is her own personal story, penned and played, hand to heart. On a canvas that is made up of the world that surrounds her.

Her debut EP, “The Slowest Curve”, is an impressionist pop song cycle. There are four tracks, one for each season.

Each set in front of a window in the morning.

“Glass” opens the EP, representing fall and begins with an interesting synth line and electronic drums. The thoughts of a passionate relationship are intertwined with imagery of night-time and tree branches reaching for the sky. Remiscent of Peter Gabriel arrangements, the track is intimate and sparse. Almost claustrophobic, as Adena’s breathlessly sensual voice disentagles the storyline.

“End of Story” brings the listener to winter and the idea that sometimes relationships just need to end. A natural progression has occurred and a separation is inevitable. The percussion becomes more incessant as Adena sings,

“I slept all through morning
you called me
to quarrel
but quarrelling’s
useless
like church is.”

This line could open forums of discussion, proving that Adena’s songwriting is both couragous and profound.

“April Rain” naturally represents spring with its lovely keyboard melody and driving rhythm. This song sheds winter and exposes the patterns in a relationship and asks the question, why do we break up just to make up again? The writer’s answer is that we live just as nature exists, however one must learn there is beauty in these patterns as well. This track is the most radio friendly and easily perceivable arrangement on the EP. Which doesn’t mean it lacks artistic depth or musical integrity. It is just more easily recognizable by it’s orthodox verse chorus musical orchestration.

Although worlds apart artistically, Adena’s vocals has the same sultry hypnotizing effect that Jennifer Paige has always had on me and milions of fans worldwide. In particular the 1999 track by Jennifer, “Sober”, consolidates my impression. A trait not to be underestimated, and an absolute plus for any singer-songwriter.

“Hot Gray Morning” represents, you guessed it, summer. “As the writer misses home, staring out the window 3,000 miles away from California, I was mesmerized by the foreboding instrumentation, which created an effectively somber mood.” Adena’s voice sounds out like a crystal bell guided by twinkling ivories above a melancholy musical score.



Jay Pinto’s production of “The Slowest Curve” is introverse, sparse and disconsolate in parts. Common traits fo - Peter Burns, Review Indie

Adena Atkins’ debut EP, The Slowest Curve, is an even combination of poetry and musical experimentation. Often times, bands will create songs and then add lyrics as a means of supplementary direction. This is especially evident when the lyrics are read or analyzed in the absence of music; riddled with ambiguity and a lack of direction without necessary key changes to provide any sort of context. And then you have Adena Atkins, who writes poems, supplemented instead with music that seems to be used more for lyrical emphasis than for any structural purpose. Sure, it’s a subtlety: lyrics first and music second. But if you really want to connect with this EP in a meaningful way, you might consider viewing it under a “different light.”

The production is rock-solid. Nothing is buried and all of the levels are pretty even. The keyboard parts are soft and create an ethereal and lullaby-like feel to each of the songs. Whenever vocal effects are added, they are always very tastefully done and the “fine-line” is never crossed. The mixes have a “wide-open” feel to them; you never have to strain your ears to hear a specific instrument. The drums were executed perfectly and you’ll notice that the drum beats are always tasteful and dynamically sound. The vocals were captured with incredible clarity and they never come close to feeling abrasive, which allows the listener to become immersed in each song free from distraction.

Any “weaknesses” in this album are limited to context with which they are viewed under, as pretty much anything and everything on it feels very intentional. Structurally, all of these songs are just as linear as anything you’d expect from any pop song. The songs aren’t going to get crazy or take an unexpected turn. But again, these potential weaknesses by any other standard are irrelevant when you focus on what she’s trying to convey and how she’s trying to do it. At times, the vocals can be a little too emotive and dramatic, which could make it hard to take some of the lyrical content seriously. These moments can leave you under the impression that you might be listening to a musical or theatrical performance instead of an EP, but again this is an atypical EP. And the music is nothing to glance over, either. When applied, the melodies are gorgeous. Each instrumental harmony is not only appropriate but totally necessary and always a delight.

All in all, The Slowest Curve is a very cool and very unique perspective on how to make a record. You aren’t going to find many people who use their music as a platform to tell a story, which makes this album feel especially refreshing. Adena is a capable artist and obviously comfortable enough in her own skin to explore some pretty intimate lyrical content within the boundaries of some very lovely melodies. You’d be hard pressed to find another record that sounds like this, so give it a try. You just might like it.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Album name: The Slowest Curve
Release Date: December, 2011
Location: Seattle, WA
Genre(s): indie, pop, electronic, impressionist
Members: Adena Atkins
Produced by Jay Pinto
Website: http://adenaatkins.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/AdenaAtkinsMusic
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AdenaAtkins - Tyler Stevens, Indie Music Reviewer

Year : 2012
Genre : Tender Poetry Pop with a Morose Tint
Label : Independent
Origin : United States
Official site : > - here - <

Adena Atkins both has a respectable commitment to put out music that reflects a deeply personal inner disposition, music that does not at all exhibit any urges to conform to pop(ular) sugarcoat-standards. The song structures are freely positioned-, easily accessible musical environments with zero tendency to intimidate. Quite the opposite : the songs seek to convey a semi-morose-, yet always cautiously hopeful spiritual stance in which the common denominator of involved emotional elements is uncompromising honesty, no matter the result it yields. The style Atkins has found and presents herein is a type of restrained musical poetry which though is similar in character to the lamenting tendencies of various renowned artists, its commitment to convey the primer emotion - morose, and, sometimes : fanciful with a lurking danger of getting deeeeply morose anytime - always is greater than any desire to add tastes the primordial mood configuration would have a hard time tolerating.

Adena's debut delivery is a twelve minutes long extended play, that which is available to purchase through the artist's website, - located here - and these twelve minutes are quite informative of the style Atkins has dedicated herself to, at least for the era of this particular EP. Read on to find out more about the character of this tender contribution.


The music, as hinted, is deeply personal and assuaging in character, and it is safe to say that the stimuli has a chance to lend a shoulder to rest or cry on for everybody caught up in a similar soul-content, and this particular one is not at all hard to get into for a human, because it primordially is : human.

One thing needs to be said, and that is that you should not expect Adena Atkins to belt out galactic notes of sonic overpower, as this is not the intention here at all. The EP is super-reluctant to weigh down on you segments with more simultaneous flow of notes parked in them than three-, maybe four at tops, ensuring that your own sentiments have a space between Adena's, and the creation of the sense of this intimacy sounds to be a key agenda of the delivery.

There is a time the debut exhibits more brisk - yet still very tender - rhythmic structures, in track number 3, called "April Rain". A definite peak moment for me, as Adena Atkins herein, for the first time, showcases her upper registers backing it up with more heft than the album previously invites her to, and my personal percept is that adding more of these segments on a full length delivery would definitely result in a morose-fanciful pop delivery to be reckoned with. All in all, Adena Atkins always is ready to lend you a shoulder to rest or cry on, and her latest EP might just be the exact thing you are secretly looking for on a rainy day.

Check her stuff out at :
http://www.adenaatkins.com - Noise Shaft

Maybe it's a full day of going to stores for returns and sales, or maybe it's a day of playing with new stuff, or maybe it's time to recover on the couch. It could be a good night to sneak into a tiny bar and hoist as many adult beverages as possible while listening to some cool tunes at a relaxed volume. You can chat, but not too close to the stage...

You'd miss the soulful singer-songwriter Jesse Dee who has a big bag of strong songs, and he's pretty damn nimble on the gee-tar. I would've put his Christmas song in my holiday mix, but it looked like I'd have to wait for the LP to arrive...

If you stick around, the late show might have a little Xmas theme. At least 3 talented folks will probably perform solo sets. Maybe join together for a couple tunes. It's been deemed a "bonfire session" in a couple spots.

Christoph Krey is the singer in the dependably rockin' McAlister Drive. Leo Blais seems like a very creative guy who makes makes powerpop with a strong aesthetic sense that includes handmaking the artwork on his CD's and decorating his apartment with his lyrics. I think I've heard Adena Atkins on WERS, because she sounded familiar to me. If not familiar, she sounds like a lovely sprite ensconced in delicate, alluring songs. - Cheap Thrills Boston

Singer/songwriter Atkins, a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, has a better-than-average pedigree, and the spacey electronic productions on this EP allow plenty of room for her plaintive introspection. ANDREW GOSPE - Andrew Gospe, Seattle Weekly

The final podcast of 2011 with my friend and very talented songwriter Adena Atkins is now available for your enjoyment – capping off a fantastic year of getting to know my fellow Songwriters in Seattle! If Adena’s name (and voice) sounds familiar, it’s because I’ve talked about her before as a guest vocalist on my song “Water Colors.” Adena recently released her first EP entitled The Slowest Curve which is a collection of pop/electronica songs representing the seasons. As it is a complete “song cycle” (i.e. they all fit together as somewhat of a single, larger piece), we talk about and play the whole EP during the podcast. What a wonderful holiday gift for Adena to share!

We talk a lot about her influences that range from painting to opera and how she got from the west coast to east coast and back again to settle into Seattle. After a year in the Pacific NW she has started to gain some momentum and have her talents recognized by industry professionals. It will be exciting to see where The Slowest Curve leads her as her music career takes off in 2012! I would highly encourage you to keep an eye on her blog as she is also a talented writer who always has something interesting to say – her passion for the arts comes through in everything she does. - Chris Klimecky, Songwriters In Seattle

Seattle based singer/songwriter Adena Atkins sings with a rare fragility and air of mystery over experimental, lush soundscapes in her new EP “The Slowest Curve”. It’s always refreshing to hear an artist, especially an experienced one, forge new ground by choosing an obscure direction for themselves as opposed to the always beckoning typical path. Adena, a recipient of the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts’ merit award, is willing and able to explore and does so freely. At times Portishead/Radiohead inspired electronica, and at others sounding closer to indie folk music, it’s hard to peg a distinct style, and this works in the album’s favour.

The opening track “Glass” begins with dark but strangely inviting synths that sound close to “If I Had a Heart” by Fever Ray when Adena Atkins‘s narration appears with slightly distorted vocals. The effect works for the warm moodiness in the song, though harmonies would elevate the piece at points. To the listener, our songwriter is singing our of her journal, so the emotion feels both potent and relevant. “End of Story” relieves some tension and shows more colour in both the composition and vocal lines, which absolutely thrive on the odd chord choices. Mood music indeed.

“April Rain” harkens back to 80's pop music, with chimes and bells that hit David Bowie’-esque (“David Bowie-esque” – is that a word?) production cues. When Adena sings the line “Stars explode and we never hear them” we are treated to an atmospheric interlude that entices, but with the return to the song’s slightly underwhelming chorus, it seems like another situation where there was more opportunity to effect the listener with the vocal range and choice.

“Hot Gray Morning” is slightly more whimsical and calmly confident, but really takes off emotionally at the 1:56 mark where the singing takes on a deeply haunting tone, and the honesty is there for all to see. The vocals throughout the album are quite bare bones, which works at some points and not on others. As an EP, “The Slowest Curve” succeeds in showing the world a very talented new artist, albeit one who still sounds like she is in the process of finding herself as a songwriter. This particular process, however, is one that is enjoyable to listen to. - James Moore, Independent Music Productions

Adena Atkins is a talented and eclectic singer / songwriter whose music blurs the line between poetry and pop song, with a touch of impressionism and a lot of attention to details.

Hailing from Seattle, Adena teamed up with producer Jay Pinto to record her debut EP, The Slowest Curve.

This EP is a little gem, featuring 4 songs - each one representing a season, portraying a different mood. The recording is animated by a really warm, slightly lo-fi vibe in which minimal and tastefully produced electronics melt with Adena’s passionate soprano vocals.

The whole EP relies on very simple, yet clever and eclectic arrangements that definitely help the spontaneity and honesty of the songs to spring out.

These are only a handful of songs, but it is a really great presentation card for this budding talent, and we are eager to hear more! - I Still Sing Along

Did Portishead and Metric have a baby? The Slowest Curve, a new four song EP from Adena Atkins and producer Jay Pinto, make me wonder. Recorded in Seattle, Adena’s solo debut features a sparse soundtrack, upfront vocals, and an array of instruments. She emulates female vocal greats such as Tori Amos and Beth Gibbons while remaining true to her own sound and song writing. The compositions are entirely unique, quite refreshing, and minimal. Her songs seem to paint themselves as they go, guided by her voice and lyrics. They are spontaneous and new upon each listen. With such an interesting debut it will be exciting to see what she comes up with next. - Angel Russell, Sergeant Sparrow

A graduate of Berklee College of Music, singer/songwriter Adena Atkins has also studied with author Natalie Goldberg and at the California Institute of the Arts. Adena is a recipient of the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts’ merit award. As of this year, she has teamed up with producer Jay Pinto to create her debut EP The Slowest Curve as well as indie-pop duo pandagreen. The Slowest Curve is a song cycle exploring windows, the four seasons, and completion. Look for its release November 19, 2011. pandagreen’s self-titled EP is now available digitally. Adena lives in Seattle and blogs about creativity at An Art Full Life.

Adena Atkins debut EP, The Slowest Curve, is an impressionist pop song cycle, unique in it’s precision. There are four tracks—one per season–each set in front of a window in the morning. Influenced by the poetry of Paul Verlaine, the lyric’s external description opens into internal experience, blurring distinction between the two. The electronic production of Jay Pinto is delicate, colorful, and thoroughly modern. I personally thought the album was really solid. The songs moved well, and you can tell that Adena spent a lot of time on the album. If you enjoy this chill style of music, you will love this album. Pick it up today on iTunes! - Greatest Playlist

Adena Atkins is an aspiring young singer/songwriter recently transplanted in Seattle after studying at Berklee College of Music. She presents her new four song EP The Slowest Curve as a representation of seasons changing as well as shifting relationships. The fluidity of nature and human interaction is clearly her inspiration. Initially I was drawn in by Atkins sultry soprano voice, which I would compare with Tori Amos or Ani Difranco. It has a distinct tone which lends itself well to her intimate song writing. A lot of imagery of nature presents itself as the writers vantage point is one in which she is peering from a window. The “window” may be literal as well as metaphorical as each track on this EP explores interpersonal relationships and opening oneself up to life’s possibilities. Atkins is joined with production and instrumentation by Jay Pinto. Interesting electronic synths, rhythms and various effects add a modern shine to some pretty melodies. “Glass” opens the EP representing fall and begins with an interesting synth line and electronic drums. The thoughts of a passionate relationship are intertwined with imagery of nighttime and tree branches reaching for the sky. “End of story” brings the listener to winter and the idea that sometimes relationships just need to end. A natural progression has occurred and a separation is inevitable. I thought the melody was beautiful and reminded me a bit “Mad World” by Tears for fears. “April Rain” naturally represents spring with it’s lovely keyboard melody and driving rhythm. This song sheds winter and exposes the patterns in a relationship and asks the question, why do we break up just to make up again? The writers answer is that we live just as nature exists, however one must learn there is beauty in these patterns as well. “Hot gray morning” represents, you guessed it, summer. As the writer misses home, staring out the window 3,000 miles away from California, I was mesmerized by the foreboding instrumentation which created an effectively somber mood. Overall, I thought the instrumentation and production on this EP was top notch. A very modern sound with great attention to detail. Atkins soprano has a great tone and her wordplay was interesting. I’ll look forward to Atkins growing even further as an artist. I hope she continues the path of a holistic approach to songwriting as this makes her unique in the singer/songwriter community. - dtp1 Music Reviews

Adena Atkins is a rather unique musician, with a background firmly rooted in musical studies (most notably with a degree in music from Berklee University); and perhaps more importantly for the sake of this review a background firmly rooted in emotion both through the melodies of her music and the lyrical poetry which she so soundly is able to express over her musical compositions. It is difficult to classify Adena Atkins' music, though it undoubtedly dabbles in a range of synthetic and ambient sounds, as well as jazz music (most notably in the bass grooves and drum beats). In addition to this, her background in classical music and opera seep in as each track on this 4-song EP seem to tell a story; and is guided by both music elements, as well as the lyrical content. If anything could be said about this young and budding artist, I would have to say that she is driven to produce excellent music, and has much school and life experience to actually accomplish this feat. Let me now bring your attention to my review of her debut album titled The Slowest Curve EP, and perhaps as you continue to read you will be able to figure out just who Adena Atkins really is by understanding her music. For me, there is no separating this woman from her music; as they are quite literally made for each other, and understanding Adena means you can understand her music; and for those who never get to meet her in person, understanding her music will certainly bring you insight into who she is as both an artist and a person.

SOUND:




As previously mentioned, the sound of The Slowest Curve EP by Adena Atkins is one that primarily dabbles in ambient and jazz music. Most of the songs on this album are down-tempo, which lends itself to adding to the emotion of each individual chord and note played; as well as to the focus on the vocal and lyrical content (which will be discussed later in this review). For being an album of this nature, it is suprisingly diverse in its sound content. The beauty of synthetic instrumentation is just how diverse each song can sound, while having similarities that make the entire album into one uniform whole. The tracks on this album are very attractive to those interested in commercial friendly music, yet they also are interesting from a musical standpoint; and again, the lyrical content is ultimately the major focus of these tracks which instantly makes the album standout amidst a very crowded, radio-friendly atmosphere. While it is difficult to pinpoint much in the way of musical influences (aside from the generic "everything and everyone influences this musc"), I have found striking similarities in the sound of Adena Atkins' voice as the female vocalist in M83 (a popular pop-electronica band). With the band M83 in mind, I find many similarities between The Slowest Curve EP and many of their relatively softer, down-tempo tracks (such as the track "Too Late") as well. Of course, with the overall atmosphere being much more jazz and ambient influenced.

A final point to note with regards to the sound of this album is that it is very well produced, though not to a point where it feels "over" produced. Adena Atkins recorded this 4-track EP in a studio with producer Jay Pinto. There are no problems to be had with the recording quality of the tracks.

COMPOSITION AND INSTRUMENTATION:

The music contained within The Slowest Curve EP follows the structure of much popular music, however in subtle ways the compositions are able to rise above just sounding like standard pop music fare. With occasional ambient interludes, as is present on the track "April Rain," and the incorporation of a variety of different timbres and dynamics; the tracks seem to ebb and flow from one musical (and somewhat theatrical) destination to another. On the topic of the music specifically, the instrumentation is very well done. A variety of synthetic sounds are present on this album, from soft ambient pads to synth bells and piano tones. On occasion, some live drums and overdrive guitars also bleed into the tracks; but primarily the music of Adena Atkins revolves around synthetic instrumentation. As previously mentioned, the tracks are primarily performed at a slower tempo. The opening track entitled "Glass" is an interesting choice for a first track due to its droning synths (sounding somewhat like a synthetic sitar to my ears). Of course, the standout track on this album for me is "April Rain" because it moves away from the downtempo sound; and adds some variety to the music in this manner.

Ultimately, with the compositions and instrumentation I can find very little to complain about on this album. The music may be difficult to immediately get into for some people considering it's pacing and quietness, and I can also admit that I would have preferenced to see some additional live instruments (like an acoustic guitar) find their way into these compositions; but as they are now, the tracks on The Slowest Curve EP show a lot of potential for this budding musician.

VOCALS AND LYRICS:

I feel that much of this review has been building up to this section, as the vocals and lyrics contained within The Slowest Curve EP are what ultimately have drawn me to enjoy this music over multiple listens. My first impression was actually lackluster in the vocal department, though after a few more listens I came to adjust to Adena's relatively unique vocal styling that finds a nice balance between a melodic soprano and an almost spoken word style of melodic singing. At this point, I very much enjoy her vocal styling; and feel it makes the tracks contained in this album very powerful. Her voice, as previously mentioned, reminds me of the female vocalist in M83. In addition, I can also hear a country/folk sound in her singing style, as well as a somewhat operaic vocal style (particularly in the final track titled "Hot Gray Morning") that reminds me heavily of Nightwish's vocalist Annette Olzon.

Lyrically, I can find no flaws. With lyrics such as those contained in the track "April Rain" (seen below), there is certainly beautiful poetry to be found.

"The morning sun filters through
changing the view all around us
it’s baffling, at least to me
I never acknowledge the extent to which
we all are ruled by petty things
our very existence depending on
predictable behavior of
subatomic particles
the universe just drifts apart
stars explode and we never hear them."

In fact, the poetry contained in this album is fantastic, and the words themselves stand on their own, with or without the music and Adena Atkin's beautiful (yet unique) voice.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

Adena Atkin's album The Slowest Curve EP is great to listen too. While there are occasional flaws, and the music itself may not exactly be for everyone; I feel that the heavy atmosphere, well written lyrics, and the voice of Adena herself make the tracks worth checking out for sure. This is only the starting point for Adena Atkin's solo music career, and I feel that just based on these 4 tracks she is showing much potential as a musician. In conclusion, I would give The Slowest Curve EP a rating of 8 out of 10, as I feel this is a very well done album of music; however if I am to be critical it does have some slight drawbacks (such as lacking much in the way of live instrumentation). Ultimately though, the music is still very well done and I am certain many people will enjoy it. If you are a fan of ambient, jazz, folk, and pop music (among other genres) I would highly recommend checking out Adena Atkin's musical work and ultimately judging her EP for yourself.



- InfoBarrel

Songwriting - 2.75 || Music - 2.75 || Vocals - 2.75
Web: http://adenaatkins.com
Location: Seattle, WA
Genre: Singer-Songwriter
Key Tracks: Hot Gray Morning

Adena Atkins is definitely one of a kind. Her current album, "The Slowest Curve," is poetry to music and fits in perfectly at your local coffee shop. Adena is like a songbird; singing to her own beat in life and not worried about the other birds around her.

"Hot Gray Morning," is probably my favorite song on her album. She talks about leaving her hometown of Boston and setting out on a new journey in life. Her lyrics say, "And simple like math, in high school the slowest curve eventually circles inward, we never do escape the terrible longing, launching, our greatest escapades." At some point in our
lives we leave our hometown in hopes of finding a fresh start, a new beginning, and that's exactly what this song speaks about.

Overall, "The Slowest Curve" is great for those who love poetic lyrics and mellow production.

MUSICAL GOAL: "With this EP, I wanted to create a complete unit and I wanted to explore some seemingly different inspirations in that unit.
When I was little I wanted to be an animator, like for Disney. This is mostly because I couldn't stop drawing Ariel. When I got older and saw Claude Monet's water lilies, I loved them. They seemed like an animation of light. Location and time of day are crucial in impressionism so I was inspired to ritualize these things in The Slowest Curve. All the
songs are set in the morning, at a window. A window also happens to be the only place I can guarantee getting to first thing in the morning." - CJ, I Am Entertainment Magazine

Today we’ll be looking at Adena Atkins’ EP The Slowest Curve. It’s a pseudo-electronic, pseudo-pop trip through all manner of Tori Amos and Phil Collins themes. Though it may only be a four track EP, there’s a lot of ground to cover. Let’s get to work!

What initially stood out for me are the stunning synth sounds employed. They’re fantastically unique yet they never overshadow Atkins vocal work. I’d highly recommend listening to this one on headphones. There’s a lot of cool stuff going on as far as production and composition goes and you don’t want to miss any of it.

My only complaint is that we don’t get enough of the vocals. Atkins voice is superb yet the vocal melodies are largely organized into little two or three note mini-phrases. What happens is that the nature of these melodies prevents us from hearing enough of her voice to really fall in love with it. Additionally, it also makes it difficult for the ear to latch on to the key of these songs which can be a little frustrating for some.

Adena Atkins has put together some really cool music here. It’s truly different in many ways. She’s got a great sound but she may want to rethink the composition of her melodies. I would definitely recommend checking out her site and her album on iTunes. Keep an eye on Adena Atkins. This isn’t the last we’ve heard from her.

Jeff Higgins is the founder of Groove Sandwich. He has the largest wrist watch in the United States. - Jeff Higgins, Groove Sandwich