Since she was seven years old, Elle McAndrews has viewed life “through the prism of a musical compass.” It began with playing the piano, studying it until grade 10 at the Royal Conservatory for Piano. Eventually, McAndrews graduated with honors from Capilano University’s Music Therapy program. McAndrews has been building towards this release, writing and performing for the last seven years. Finally, after winning the Original Music Showcase in 2019, she began work on her debut EP Hanging by a Thread. The project is a mix of classic country, folk and soul that makes for a lovely, comforting musical cocktail.
The opening track “Even Better” is a classic country tune about a failing relationship. Atop a twangy slide guitar, McAndrews sings, “The solitude holds me and I / feel like it knows me / even better than you do.” The song also features a top-notch pedal steel solo from Ryan Funk that captures the song’s melancholy. “Athens to Marakesh” is a more soulful tune. A jazzy electric guitar is this song's anchor and plays off McAndrews’ vocal melodies. The lyrics help establish a vivid setting, as McAndrews sings, “We would travel there by car / up to Milan / I would wear my best scarf in my hair / to stand out, or fit in.” These words not only transport the listener but also give a peek at McAndrews’ personality. Many of the lyrics on Hanging by a Thread serve multiple purposes, and it’s always engaging. The title track is surprisingly the most unprocessed on the EP. It’s a piano ballad, and its stripped nature exposes the honesty in McAndrews' performance. The way the piano was recorded also adds to the honesty of “Hanging by a Thread.” According to McAndrews, “piano parts were recorded in a large downtown united church with six mics…. Despite the traffic outside and the gentle whirring of the fans above, we decided to use the piano recordings because they impart so much rawness and energy.” A string section accompanies the piano, and it makes for a lovely arrangement. The closer is the understated “Summer Fool.” it features just electric guitar and vocals, but this simplicity highlights McAndrews' vocals. She performs impressive and catchy vocal runs, singing, “And the chances are small / That I’ll hear from you in the fall / And you might not think of me at all / I’m that silly girl to fall / Oh I’m just your summer fool / I’ll always be that girl.” It’s a song that’s sure to catch people’s attention. Elle McAndrews’ Hanging by a Thread has a familiar enough sound to rope people in but has added spice to keep them listening. The production quality and mix of genres keep the track list sounding fresh, and McAndrews’ vocal talent is undeniable. Give Hanging by a Thread a listen and hear for yourself.
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