Toronto-based singer-songwriter Ally Cribb turns to music to express, and make sense of her life experiences and emotions. With a profound understanding of music, inherited from her musician father, Ally Cribb crafts thematic, emotive soundscapes. Each composition is not just a testament to her artistic skills, it is also a deeply personal and honest reflection on life.
Following the poignant themes and evocative sounds of her celebrated EP ‘Unbroken,’ Ally Cribb returns with her latest five-track EP ‘Now.’ This new release showcases her evolution as a songwriter, presenting character-driven, intricate narratives through captivating soundscapes. Capturing the heaving ebb and flow of slipping into early adulthood, the artist presents both the good and the bad of relationships and selfhood that define this challenging time in life.
Opening with the title track, the EP starts off to a tender, melancholic start. Navigating the complicated and turbulent waters of a breakup, the song is soaked in wistfulness and rumination. Plaintive guitar tunes, luminous piano notes, and thumping percussion rise and fall in intensity, mirroring the temperament of the singer’s voice. Emoting with stunning ease, her vocals unleash vulnerable, sincere melodies. It is an achingly beautiful track.
‘Holding Out for You’ sees the artist grappling with the truth, the finality of the romance and the act of moving on. Retaining some of the pensive tones, the music features brighter, swelling instrumentation alluding to acceptance and hope. Her vocal melodies are commanding and impassioned, presenting you with the inner turmoil and fury of heartbreak and disillusionment. Yet in the tender moments, the sadness, disappointment, and wishful thinking are palpable. This ability to convey emotions so vividly is compelling and sets her apart.
In ‘Boy That I Knew’ the artist presents a somber, touching theme- ruminating over the past, wishing for what is lost, and realizing what once was is not what is. The heaviness of the theme is eased through the soft, soulful atmosphere of the music, allowing you to step into the song and experience every bit of feeling it has to offer. Through her vocals, she bares her heart and soul.
After the rain comes the flowers, in ‘Know Better.’ Despite the pain and chaos of it all, there is much to have learned and much to look forward to, and that is exactly the theme in this track. The music witnesses its spring, blossoming optimistic melodies, radiant vocals, and galloping rhythms. There is an infectious confidence in the singer’s voice. The soundscape is warmer and brighter, infused with a sense of positivity.
‘Not This Time,’ the final track of the song, takes on a soft, reflective atmosphere. The artist looks back on the entirety of the experience from a place of mature introspection and acceptance. Rich guitar textures exude vibrancy, the drums and percussion beat with enthusiasm, and the vocals are drenched in a gentle emotionality.
‘Now’ is a spectacular display of what it is to love and lose, to be human, to break, and have to rebuild yourself. The EP has a subtle brilliance that gives it a distinct, unforgettable charm, leaving a lasting impact on the audience. Listen to the latest EP ‘Now’ by Ally Cribb here!
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