‘All I’m Missing’ by Singer-Songwriter Cassidy Dickens is a 10-track album infused with nostalgia and longing for home. An Indie-Folk album with pop influences, ‘All I’m Missing’ is undoubtedly a masterclass in songwriting.
‘All I’m Missing’: Track by track
‘All I’m Missing’ pt. I: ‘All I’m Missing’ – ‘Close To My Chest’
The title track, which inspired the naming of the album, is a simple yet enchanting opener, throwing the listener right into the songwriter’s conflict between the life that could have been had at home and the dreams she left home to chase – “So much to gain, so much is lost, Big dreams sure do cost a lot.” She sings. Her intricate storytelling is accompanied by layered acoustic guitar, and it almost feels like the narrator of the song just returned home after a long time away, and hasn’t yet decided whether they’re staying or booking tickets to leave. ‘Church Basement’ jumps right into the nostalgia that has now been established. The song is a soulful ballad, and in it, young love becomes holy, sacred. The lover’s name becomes a prayer, whispered. The vocals are layered, and complete with gorgeous harmonizing.
If ‘Church Basement’ was a jump into nostalgia, ‘Clear Creek’ is a dive. Spanning from childhood to youthful rebellion, the storytelling is reminiscent of contemporary big names – Ed Sheeran’s ‘Castle On The Hill’ being one that comes to mind. The chirpy song with acoustic notes takes you to a place, a time, a childhood. It’s a pocket, a bubble. And once you’ve visited it through this song, it’s clear why the narrator never wanted to leave.
‘Better Late Than Never’ is a late proposal, a postponed anniversary, a whole life together – it’s a simple song, it’s two people who love each other. In ‘Close To My Chest’, she turns inwards, examining her defensiveness. The song is honest and vulnerable, admitting to sadness without allowing it to leak into the rhythm.
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‘All I’m Missing’ pt. II: ‘Deep End’ – ‘Timelines’
‘Deep End’ is a fast moving relationship, with the fluid guitar moving just as fast. ‘Tender’ is a lingering, gentle song. “It’s been too long, you heard a song that made you think of me…” She sings. The guitar strings are plucked precisely, each note is placed exactly, creating a much more fragile, delicate musicality in relation to the other songs in the album. Probably my favorite, this serene piece is a search for tenderness in the memory of a past love, and a request for forgiveness.
‘Highway 33’ takes place on the road, as the narrator wonders what would happen if she took one turn out of her way. “I could, I should, I wish I were, but I keep driving…” She sings. Much like in ‘All I’m Missing’, this song looks at the choice between being rooted and driving on. But here, we have our answer. The song is exactly something you’d want to have blasting through your car as you drive through a highway with your windows down, singing your heart out.
‘The Light’, another delicate song, celebrates and fondly remembers a loved one who has passed. The light notes sitting behind the soulful singing hold perfectly the fond memory of this person made of kindness and the sun. ‘Timelines’ is a slow, reflective piece, with violin layered on top of the guitar. It is the perfect song to end the album on.
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About the artist
Cassidy is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter originally from the mountains of southern West Virginia. Her music is colored richly by her Appalachian roots. Follow her on Instagram to catch snippets of her life and journey with music.
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Can't pretend I'm the protagonist without the right track playing in the back.
