On her latest release entitled "The Brightness," singer and songwriter Anais Mitchell delivers a melancholy presentation, but ironically falls short of a shining performance.
Despite sounding very similar to Alanis Morissette, Mitchell's voice doesn't carry the same charm and strength that made Morissette successful. Mitchell's vocals come off as weak, which may be in part to her high-pitched voice. However, her timid style does contribute to the relaxed quality of her album, creating a mood similar to that of a day's end, when everything calms and settles. This effect works perfectly for those seeking music to shut down with after work or school.
"I'm gonna go quietly / you don't have to tell me to / just let me lie a little longer / next to you," sings Mitchell.
Her lyrics have a good amount of poetic talent and successfully mix with the instrumentals to make a smooth sound. Her words are simple and emotive, but leave the song devoid of anything incredibly deep.
Despite this shallow trend, "Changer" stands out as one of the more thoughtful songs.
"Morning has stolen your shadow from me / but I hold its shape in my mind/it's the shape of your back when you turned it on me / one last time," sings Mitchell.
Most of the songs feature only a small helping of background music, remaining basic enough for Mitchell's voice to be heard. Guitars mainly accompany Mitchell, with the occasional piano or banjo chiming in for support. Songs such as "Hobo's Lullaby" even feature impressive violin performances.
Despite the soft voice and high pitch, "The Brightness" offers a relaxing way to unwind from a long and stressful day, but it fizzles out in the end.
