In Your Ear Magazine

CD Review - Settle Down
by Jennifer Hinrichs

This disc offers no pretenses, so neither will I. Settle Down is a stunning debut from Massachusetts solo artist Flora Reed. Her voice is disarmingly pure and organic. She is capable of winding her sweeping stories with an effortless grace. Her range reaches into a number of different styles, including contemporary folk and country, and her talent molds easily to everything she tries.

There is nothing particularly complex about this recording. The instruments are straightforward, and Flora's voice, naturally, is what is emphasized. Flora doesn't buckle under this focus, nor does she overdo her performance; she shines brightly with just enough light.

The disc works through acoustic tracks and band-oriented tracks, providing a balanced backdrop for Flora's immaculate voice and poetic writing. Luscious melodies are incorporated into the non-acoustic tracks, and orchestral hints can be found littered throughout, operating more like samples than full instrumentation.

The lyrics are quietly confrontational ("I look simple enough. But you know the truth/I'm not quite dangerous/Still, I'm a killer of sorts"). They swing from simple, somewhat conversational, moments ("Hey, what do you know?/Today I feel good enough to float above everyone") to eloquent verses (see: "Happiness Is"). Their sweet and bold presentation make them instantly profound but totally down to earth.

Acoustic tracks "Beloved" and "Mutter" rest in the middle of the 11 songs. Each is accompanied by subtle string arrangements which create a dramatic effect when set behind an acoustic guitar. The middle of the disc gets slightly weighted by a string of acoustic songs. "Calm What Was" picks up the pace with clever drums and a fairly catchy chorus. An a cappella cover of Bjork's "Joga" sums up the album on a thick and anxious note.

Flora Reed is definitely one to keep an eye on. Her music is refreshing and gorgeous; her talent is broad and robust and her debut is undeniable proof of both. Simply put, Settle Down is blunt with passion, brutal with honesty and alive with beauty.