It is rare to find artists that still exhibit true talent in a pop music scene that has become diluted by club beats and auto-tuned, manufactured stars. Singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles has been a breath of fresh air, dominating the airwaves with her single, “Love Song.” She returns with her new album “Kaleidoscope Heart,” which sees more of the same coffee-shop-inspired pop tunes that fueled her last release.
The record begins with the minute-long title track, followed by the beautifully melodic “Uncharted,” which is launched by plinky piano tunes and plucked string instruments for added effect. This leads into the soaring chorus, which Bareilles uses to quickly establish her vocal chops. The track is an excellent, true opener for the album and will likely pull in listeners without delay.
It is followed by the retro-tastic “Gonna Get Over You,” where Bareilles implements fun ba-do-ba’s in the background to complete the effect. It is a fun, happy clappy tune set against the rather depressing lyrical bent of a lover trying to get over a bad relationship— hardly groundbreaking, but not half bad. Neither is “Hold My Heart,” which is standard pop ballad fare; the kind you would expect to light up the adult contemporary radio format.
Speaking of radio, the infectious lead single “King of Anything” follows, and is easily the catchiest track on the record. Tailing the clever label-critiquing tongue-in-cheek of her previous hit “Love Song,” Bareilles delivers a harsh salvo towards the label executives who, in her opinion, tried dabbling too much in the artistic direction of the record. None of it comes across as overly angry or contemptuous though, most likely because of the happy melodies that permeate the song from beginning to end. It is a standout track and a worthy counterpart to its predecessor in almost every way possible.
“Say You’re Sorry” is rather repetitive, but it is on “The Light” where Bareilles really shines, (pun not intended). The song is exquisite: dreamy piano parts and flowing guitar parts chime in to a soft, steady beat that continues throughout the entire song. Lyrically, it is a beautiful take on relationships, likening love to a heaven-sent hurricane and the contrasting combination of sunshine and rain – all this while avoiding the overly cliché moments that plague many musical artists. It makes for one of the strongest, most affecting moments in the album.
Continuing in the same vein is “Basket Case,” in which Bareilles delivers a breathy, strong performance. The blend of harmonies is flawless, and one is left with the impression that this girl really knows her craft. While confidence is a common denominator in all these songs, it just oozes from this acoustically driven track.
“Let The Rain” brings things back into pop mode, sounding reminiscent of a mellower Taylor Swift track, while “Machine Gun” is led by a purifying chorus. Once again, Bareilles soars on this striking track about leaving one’s past behind. The rest of the record delivers more of the same, with “Breathe Again” and “Bluebird” slow-dancing their way to a heartfelt conclusion.
For fans of earnest, unpretentious music, Sara Bareilles has once again delivered a remarkable offering. The album is aptly titled, as it shows the myriad of emotions pouring forth in song from the singer’s soul. You would be hard-pressed to find a more candid, genuine set of tunes in today’s popular music scene.
