Cuckoo Bay consists of Devin Patton (vocals/ukulele), Stephen Maher (keys/drums) and Alex Michael Piazza (guitar/bass). Last year we reviewed their eponymous EP and they are now back with Limits which is a three-song EP.
The EP starts off with the title track “Limits.” It’s a stripped back song revolving around piano and vocals as well as some other atmospheric elements. The focal point is far and away the commanding and powerful vocals of Patton. One of the gold standards for a gifted singer would be dynamic range and there is no denying Patton can sound good in multiple octaves. The beginning of the song is a little more intimate and she stays in a comfortable range that is also soulful. She does climb a scale on occasion. It should also be stated the piano playing is precise but soulful. Around the middle of the song there are some additional vocal harmonies that blend with pads. “Night and Day” brings instruments like bass, drums and guitar to the table and with that brings a much more upbeat and festive mood. This was the highlight in my opinion partially because I just love this style. I actually thought this song would have worked better as the opener but that’s me. It’s funky but not like a blaring ’70s funk. The mood is sort of lounge like and subdued. It’s like music where you could totally dance to it or just relax with a cocktail and enjoy the performance. The vocal harmonies towards the end were so on point. Last up is “Gave It All Up” which is a solo performance. It revolves around ukulele and vocals. Something about this song felt the most pop oriented. I might even classify this in the singer/songwriter genre. This EP showcases a number of different sides to the band. The one constant are the impressive vocals. Take a listen.
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