There is such inestimable beauty in music that feels like confessions from the soul—the kind that is raw, honest, and vulnerable. Guess what? that’s exactly what singer-songwriter Andrea Shelly surrenders with her debut album “Want It” which comes from a genuine place, capturing the essence of her lived experiences, spanning life, growth, heartbreak, friendship, resilience, anxiety and so much more. This 11-track album unfolds like an open conversation with the listener—the kind of sincerity divulged here is only akin to that of a personal diary. There are contemplative centerpieces, perfect for those late-night introspection as there are pick-me-up tracks, ideal for the dancefloor as you move with carefree abandon. The production for each track is neat, clean, and crisp, balancing the raw authenticity of acoustic instruments with polished, professional sounds that enhance each track’s emotional impact without overshadowing anything.
To make this album as wholesome as possible, the services of accomplished musicians were lent for this project, such as Latin Grammy winner Daniel Uribe, who elevates the tracks’ enchantment with his virtuosic guitar playing; John Thomasson, who injects the music with that magic touch thanks to his dexterous bass playing; and Sergio Warner, who adds that bold, dynamic presence with his impressive trumpet execution. This shows that the album is a collaborative effort whose success rests on the touchstone of excellent teamwork.
As a pilot, Andrea lets those emotions fly, cruising nicely above 40,000 feet and transferring every ounce of emotion to the listener. The title track is a sweet-sounding, tender, and mellifluent ballad that features crisp and clean guitars, precise drums, and soulfully rich vocals from Andrea before morphing into this agreeably fine rock-peppered soundscape with the lush and rich guitar melodies, punchy drums, and steady bass giving it that gritty fineness. All the while, Andrea does not relent on her emotional delivery—her emotion-fueled delivery capturing the intricacies of love. At the end of your listening experience, you will surely feel like you have literally been touched in your soul…I think that was the intention. I love the warm guitar virtuosity, the bluesy tinges, and the vocal expressiveness of Andrea’s emotive voice that boasts such power and range.
“Tell Me Why” feels like a Mexican heartbreak song—colorful in color and depth with that weight of jazz uplifted by the warmth and soulfulness of the trumpet instrument that slinks perfectly into pocket spaces, creating this earworming interplay with the guitars and bass to provide this delightful backdrop for the rich, heartfelt vocals of Andrea, who wears her heart on her sleeves and leaves an indelible mark on the heart and soul of the listener. The raw emotions, honesty, and aching vulnerability are why I just love this masterpiece.
The intro to “Love is an Island” is soothing to the ear—the finely tuned guitars provide a perfect bed of support to the angelic, haunting, and soul-healing vocal harmonies as Andrea sings into a listener’s heart as if she is right beside you as the story unfolds. Hauntingly beautiful is the right word to describe this super special centerpiece.
“Shame” unfolds with a vibrant appeal that makes it so much easier for anyone who likes to dance to the beats. The upbeat soundscape and infectious energy Andrea exudes allow the track to transport a listener to a higher realm. The interplay between the electronic guitar melodies, the tight drum patterns, the high-end bass, and that rock n’ roll type of rhythmic cadence, accentuated by the scene-stealing lead vocals from Andrea’s powerhouse vocals make the jam so exciting and irresistible.
“Standing on the Corner” features the stylistic caliber of roots sounds off the bat and it is lively featuring an undeniable carefree energy about it. Andrea matches this vitality with her captivatingly animated vocal performance as she matches the cadence of the beats, tempo to tempo. It is here that I admit this is one of my personal favorites from the project…for some reason, I can’t get enough of it. There is a welcome defiance, charisma, boldness, and swagger to Andrea’s delivery that makes the jam indubitably enchanting.
“Want It” isn’t just an ordinary album—this is a lived, diverse experience poured wholeheartedly for your listening pleasure as Andrea Shelly finds it in her heart to share more than just the music but a huge chunk of herself as well.
She hopes that this album connects with you on a deep, personal, and emotional level and that you find sanctuary in it…If not, just enjoy the music for its richness, profundity, diversity, dexterous execution, and impassioned delivery. Is that too much to ask for? No? That’s what I thought!
To know more about Andrea Shelly, visit: Official Website | Instagram | Spotify