SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: SARAH CREAN – HEIRLOOM

SARAH CREAN
HEIRLOOM
INDEPENDENT

Listening to Sarah Crean’s sophomore album, Heirloom, it is hard to believe this is only her second album. The fact that she produced, wrote (or co-wrote), and put together this album at her young age is a remarkable achievement. Heirloom is jammed with brilliant songs, each with their own distinct sound and vibe. She is not afraid to experiment and try different styles and sounds throughout the album. Although she is from Ireland, traditional Irish music is not immediately evident, it is in there, but she opts for more of an indie-pop sound.

The album opens with the title track, and she quickly establishes that she is taking the listener into her world. The song brings to mind Stina Nordenstam. Not that Crean is copying, because she is not, but the overall feel of the song does have that sound. But, with the second track, she quickly moves to the guitar based “I Want To Be So Happy.” The song is brilliant and goes places no one expects. A song such as “Dreamer” is pure pop, and it sounds great. Then she moves to “Baby (I’ll Always Be The Lead),” which lends itself to blues based 1980s tracks. The bass could be Mick Karn (which is always a good thing) and her voice has a sense of vulnerability.

“Paris Syndrome” is one of the many highlights of the album. It sounds confessional and deeply personal. It is a moment on the album that the listener must stop all other activities and focus on the melancholy and beauty of the song. The album ends with the beautiful acoustic “Funeral.” She introduces instruments throughout the song to accentuate certain emotions and feelings. Her arrangement with this song (and all the songs) is flawless.

Heirloom is the sound of a mature artist. Much like Kate Bush’s second album, Lionheart, Crean has grown since her debut and continues to develop as a writer and producer. Her vocals are spot on for her music and she is not afraid to use her voice in various manners throughout. Heirloom succeeds in so many ways. It is an album of incredible songs, but benefits from listening from beginning to end. It is not a concept album, but it does have themes, such as growing up, self discovery and coping with relationships. It is a thoughtful album without becoming depressing or too heavy. It is the perfect balance, just like her music. Heirloom is a brilliant album.

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