In her latest album, Rachel Kiel delivers yet another milestone in her musical journey. Kiel broke into the music scene with her 2008 album entitled “Table Manners.” In that album, Kiel’s youthful yet witty lyricism shines through in accompaniment to her melodic vocals.
With her second record, “Television Waltz,” Kiel leaned into a folk and country-inspired sound that exhibited her raw talent as an artist. “Shot from a Cannon,” released in 2017, takes yet another turn by utilizing technology and accentuated guitar riffs in order to deliver songs with an edge of angst. With each new release, Kiel cleverly experiments with a variety of instruments and genres, and that remains true for her newest album, “Dream Logic,” released on Oct. 23.
What is most distinct about Kiel’s style is her melodic voice, which is distinguishable amid the various instruments that she pairs with it. Her sound resonates with that of artists such as Phoebe Bridgers, Chastity Belt and Zoey Deschanel of She & Him. “Dream Logic” is packed with a blend of instrumentation and sounds that cross the borders of different genres, yet Kiel’s ethereal voice creates a balance that bridges the many layers within each song on the record.
The vocalist employs a slower melody in songs such as “Favorite Work” and “Ava Gardner,” while in others, she incorporates a grittier sound as heard in “Do What You Want.” Regardless of what sound she aims for, Kiel’s unique vocal style makes this album uniquely hers.
“Dream Logic” begins with “Car Crash Dream” which blends electronic beats with flowing acoustic guitar riffs to transcend the bounds of any genre. As the album continues, Kiel experiments with different sounds while also keeping a sacred balance of each component to present a cohesive sound throughout the entire body of work. In some songs, such as one of my favorites, “Keep That in Your Pocket,” Kiel emphasizes the bass line of the song in order to bring more body and depth into her music.
Kiel incorporates the use of synth, various forms of percussion (even using a maraca in her song “Discipline”), piano, string as well as electronic instruments in order to add multiple layers of sound to each song. While presenting her musical talent through the many instruments utilized, Kiel tastefully pairs the competing sounds in ways that create a beautiful balance within the album.
In her vocals and instrumentation alone, Kiel delivers an emotional experience, but her skill doesn’t end there. In “Dream Logic,” Kiel brings listeners inside her dreams. The insightful lyricism shines light on topics such as love, loss, distance, control and healing. Through the stories crafted within the album, Kiel reveals the authenticity of the inner workings of her mind and soul.
In each album that Kiel has put out, there is clear evidence of her growth as she continues to mature into her identity as an artist. With “Dream Logic,” Kiel dives wholeheartedly into her craft, experimenting and putting her best efforts forward.
“Dream Logic” can be found on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music. Give the album and other works by Kiel a listen, and hear for yourself the raw soulfulness present in every aspect of her work.
