Galactic Time Traveler
Wholeheartedly - Star Moles (Newer Music Tuesday)
In this musical landscape, it’s pretty easy to tell what era a song is from. Even with modern remasters and such, I find I can generally pick out a vintage tune from a more recent one. That being said, there are exceptions to the rule, and “Wholeheartedly” by Star Moles may be the most prominent example of that. I’m pretty much convinced at this point that she’s some kind of galactic time traveler, because this song has both a beautifully aged sound and also is so out of this world good it feels like it can’t be real!
The best way I can describe “Wholeheartedly” in a few words is that it’s sort of like if Kate Bush sang a cover of Blur’s “Sweet Song”. Star Moles (aka Emily) has a voice that could melt the coldest of hearts, a gentle yet prominent sound that really shines in this style of song. It glides over the melody as gracefully as a swan, yet displays a little heaviness when the lyrics call for it. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone sing “yeah yeah yeah” as kindly as she sings it, and it’s now become my favorite interpretation of those famous syllables!
Instrumentally the song is fabulous as well. Everything perfectly complements her voice, from the mournful piano to the steady bass plucks. It has just enough of the stuff I call “candy” (little bell sounds or things of the like) to make it engaging, but not so much that I find myself focusing more on that than anything else. Again with the piano, I admire the way that two tracks of it are featured (at least in the beginning). By having one establish the chords and the other play a counter-melody, it helps the tune stay in its element by keeping it gentle. Even when the drums are added a little later, they help drive the more outward parts of the song even more outward, giving the louder portions more weight in the coolest way possible.
“Wholeheartedly” is a song that I really think is something special, a tune that is as close to magic as I’ve ever heard. I’m so happy it made its way to my ears, and I’m looking forward to her double (!!!!!!!!) album release!
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