Stephanie Phillips has been making soulful folk music for the better part of 3 decades. She’s an experienced musician, and describes her music as progressive folk. I would explain it to be surreal poetry. What Have I Lost ? is a collection of Stephanie’s best songs since her 2013 album True To My Soul. Time asked for her style of songs again, and she provided. Let’s listen to her enchanting tunes weave several stories as patterns in our lives.
She opens the album with I Asked the Universe. It is a true folk tune, along the lines of Joni Mitchell and James Taylor. Her voice and style of delivery give the songs a particular edge however, and they belong to her in a signature way. The open chords and ringing out the strings seem to be the natural connect with this genre of music, and she does not lose that spine. She might be adding several progressive elements, but the base instrument is her voice and the guitar the consort. It is a rich balance struck between her verses and instrumentals.
Within progressive folk
The next track My Someday Girl has the roots of an Irish folk song, by the chord progression. As it is a short track, it’s emotion roots to the harmony and the synths she balances out with ease. It is in sharp contrast in emotion to her next track, Soft Place to Fall. It sounds like a bonus track from Mayer’s Born and Raised, and has that layered guitar sound we all adore. Adds a lot of depth to the instrumental section.
Contradictions displays Stephanie’s special style of creating these unorthodox riffs. They are intros to the verses, and they sound fantastic because you don’t hear many be bold enough to try it. The song uses various tempos to set a waltz like feel to the song. The song makes its mark gently, yet occupies space in your conscience because of the hook it has.
Final Kiss Goodbye is an emotional adieu penned passionately by Stephanie Phillips. Her way of talking through her strings and voice is unique, each displays a certain aspect of the song one might miss. If words might fall too heavy, she softens it by creating a soothing fingerpicking pattern. Truly delightful to listen to. The tonal quality of Adrift might be a prelude of what the song has to say, In minor chord, the track has a melancholy aspect that places itself in the title of the song. Her poetry is just as insightful, the track being a tale that keeps you hooked throughout.
Creating contrasts in melodies
October Sun is a joyful track, a welcome contrast after adrift. Just like the sun during this cold month, it is a moment of respite, a rich ray of nourishment. All of Stephanie’s tracks use simple, yet effective chordal patterns to help her craft her narrative, special and unique for each track. Almost a salsa tempo is created with Blindside. The bass is effective and stands out as well. Rather than fingerpicking, the heaviness of the strums aid to the purpose of the song.
In the Crossfire is one of Stephanie’s most popular tracks. The song is a lament that holds true to many a heart. It repurposes itself in the instrumental moments as a display of whatever thought it encourages. Her lyrics are reassuring and warm, and the 4 minutes seem to slide by like the frugal escape of good memories.
My Happy Place is one of my favorite songs, and it has to do with the chords and lyrics somehow sitting perfectly. They complement each other, make a symbiotic effect of give and take and resonate with the place I am mentally now. This shows the masterful songwriting skill that Stephanie has harnessed through the years. It is truly a heartwarming song, and I wish for it to be much more popular as her fan list expands.
A catalogue of categories
Another Full Moon has the largest number of streams, and it is clear to hear why. The song has a complex rhythm that acts as a storyteller to Stephanie’s melodious voice. The synths balance out the strings getting plucked, and also add fairy dust to her voice. How It Is Now is placed very well after Full Moon. It continues the emotion, and spreads out its wings to accommodate her simple yet engaging storytelling style.
The closing track is the title track, and has the best chord progression in the album for me. It sets forth mystery as a listener, so the verses just make the song more complex. It hangs on the minor notes, creating this desperate cloying for the depth to change. She has put out her best work without doubt at a time when people need to listen to such music. The question to us who never knew about Stephanie Phillips music-what have we lost?
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Discovered via http://musosoup.com
Promotional Disclaimer: The content in this post has been sponsored by the artist, label, or PR representative to help promote their work.Promotional Disclaimer: The content in this post has been sponsored by the artist, label, or PR representative to help promote their work.
Self professed metalhead, moderately well read. If the music has soul, it's whole to me. The fact that my bio could have ended on a rhyme and doesn't should tell you a lot about my personality.
