By Sean Huncherick
What does a solo album sound like from a violinist who has toured with Lady Gaga, worked with Pierre Boulez, and performed in a trio alongside Ryuichi Sakamoto? Like nothing you’ve ever heard (unless you happen to listen to chamber, new age, and 80s pop music. In that case, it sounds kind of like a mix between those three.)
Her self-titled album came out earlier this year and is worth checking out if you’re in the mood for something a bit different. The album starts out incredibly strong with an atmospheric intro (“Genesis: Prelude to the Present) which warms up the listener for the first of many instrumental tracks, “Strawberry Dream.” It’s here that Kang is first able to show off a hint of her skills as a violinist. The acoustic guitar in the background helps give the track an epic and beautiful touch.
If that isn’t enough to win you over, she throws a curve ball with the incredible song “You.” Instead of giving the violin center stage, for one track only, she lets her chilling vocals take over. Like any of her instrumentals, I’m not going to try to compare her vocals to any particular artist. By the time the violin kicks in at 2:20, you’ll be sucked in.
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/68947734″ params=”” width=” 100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]The album continues strongly with the next two tracks, but by the sixth song, they all start to sound fairly similar. There are little things that set each track apart like the staccato plucks on “Everything is Pink” which remind me of AWOLNATION’s “Sail”, but instead of taking off after the neat intro, Kang shows off her experimental side.
The main disappointment for me is that she doesn’t sing on more of the songs. I enjoy modern classical music, but it’s tracks like “You” and “Champagne and Chandelier” that set her apart from all the other artists I can think of. Unlike most composers, she brings chilling 80s-pop soaked vocals; unlike most pop artists, she brings classical talent. I would love to hear more of both in the future.
Overall, Judy Kang is a great debut. The first five tracks are phenomenal and the rest is very easy to listen to. Because she is a violinist that is currently breaking out in the mainstream music scene, she will undoubtedly be compared to Youtube sensation, Lindsey Stirling. Fans of Stirling will be glad to hear another album led by a talented violinist, but the comparisons stop there. Instead of cover songs, fiery energy, and a danceable beat, Kang brings a slower and more somber album. She does have her electrified moments like in her song “I Believe in Pixies” which hits an unexpected crescendo halfway through that completely changes the mood. As far as the instrumental tracks go (which covers all but three tracks), it along with “All that Remains: Hope” and “Sleepwalking” are the strongest pieces. Most of the other tracks can be clumped together as beautiful, but very similar pieces of classical music with a dash of electronic and pop. It’s relaxing and terrific for passive listening.
Score: 3.5/5
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