Dorine Levy - Underwater

Dorine Levy

Underwater
self-released; 2013

3.9 out of 5

By Matt Jensen

You are probably already familiar with the artist Dorine Levy. If not let me introduce her. She started young at the age of 16 and her 2008 debut EP earned her campaigns with fashion brands such as H&M, Zara, River Island and more. This in turn got her selected as a nominee in the 'top 5 International acts' category at the Australian Music Awards (MTV Australia) in 2010. Most recently the full length Underwater was released, which contains 12 pop gems. 

Underwater is an album that mixes just the right amount or originality and experimentation into a commercial- sounding album that hipsters as well as your “passive” music fan can enjoy. The first thing I noticed right off the bat is how mind blowing good the production is. Her voice sounds fantastic throughout and the music sounds like it was recorded in a multi-million dollar studio with top engineers. What I really enjoyed about the album was that it felt diverse but never too scattered. For instance, “Mab” is an inspired dance track that utilizes a heavy kick drum and electronic components while a soft, ambience revolves around a great vocal performance. 

The album starts off with “There For Me” which is a fun, original sounding track that was a highlight for me. This track contains intricate overlapping vocal harmonies that coalesced into a concoction of sounds. What's most impressive is how accessible but off kilter it is. It doesn't follow a simple verse, chorus, verse structure or a particular hook but instead was a song that was constantly changing. “Cow Boy Fest” kind of sounds like the title while “Wake Up” is a song that is irresistibly joyful. 

I was impressed that album ended with the title track “Underwater” which is instrumental. The programming is top notch and gave a contemplative vibe. The best moments on the album are the ones that aren’t afraid to get out of their comfort zones. I enjoyed the songs that deviated from typical structures and weren't afraid to venture into new territory. 

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