Though hip-hop recently dethroned rock 'n' roll as the most listened to genre in the world, Los Angeles based singer/songwriter Chrystyna Marie creates music that’s evidence of the fact that rock is far from dead. Melodic and bluesy with noticeable elements of grunge and soul, Marie’s work is clearly inspired by some of the greatest rockers of our time. Her highly anticipated EP Life is slated for release on July 24th.
When you first start listening to Life, the number of diverse instruments used on the album immediately strikes you. You can clearly hear traces of trumpet, harmonica, banjo and organ, as well as all of the common components found in your standard rock band. And then there are the vocals. Never mind that Chrystyna Marie has a powerful voice that is as deep as it smooth, she also relies on background singers to elevate her sound.
If the music has a wide range of influences, the lyrics are fairly straightforward. She mainly sings about topics most people can easily relate to. According to Marie, " Breath is life, and life is music. I wanted to create music from personal experiences and true emotions. Something the everyday person can relate to and build strength from having been exposed to it. With a raw and gritty feel to emulate these experiences and emotions."
True to the statement, “I Want That Boom Boom” is fast paced, playful, and a little aggressive, much like the act that she’s referring to. However, one of the tracks that stood out to me both musically and vocally was “Mr. Insecurity” (stream it here). More jazz than rock, the track inspires comparison to Mark Lanegan and Eric Clapton, though the vocals are something else entirely – something like a much jazzier Taylor Momsen or a slightly deeper KT Tunstall.
“Nobody Knows When You’re Down and Out” is another one. I was pleasantly surprised by the soulfulness of the slower track, with its melodic vocals and beautiful 1960s inspired piano. It’s this range of styles that make Life a very pleasant and engaging EP. If you’re fans of soul, jazz, rock, or blues, you may sincerely enjoy the music of Chrystyna Marie. Check out more from the rising artist on her website: www.chrystynamarie.com
Note* Album provided for objective review by our partners.