Girl at the Rock Shows

It’s Monday. I’m still not recovered from my trip to Las Vegas last weekend and am still fighting the nasty case of strep throat that I came home with but I am determined to not let it get in my way. I know, I know, rest is what you need when you’re sick but I rested for the majority of last week and I’m still not feeling one hundred percent so I’m trying a different approach of just ignoring it and drinking hot tea by the gallon. I need a soundtrack to go with my multiple pots of tea today and I have a feeling that AV.’s ‘Made of Stone’ may do just the trick.

Before I go any further, this is a sneak preview for you guys. AV. was kind enough to give me the album early so, if you like what I’m describing, make sure to follow her on all of her socials (don’t worry, I have them tagged below) and mark January 13th down in your calendar for the release day of this album!

The title track, “Made of Stone”, kicks this album off in a beautiful way. From the hauting line of notes from the piano to the way AV.’s voice comes in without warning, it’s clear that this album will be full of power and energy but, more importantly, emotion. Although there were moments in this track where I felt the vocals went just ever so slightly flat, I loved the emotion and felt that this opening track really opened the album out in a beautiful way. It not only gives you a good taste of what’s to come but also doesn’t let onto some of the surprises and turns that this quick EP would take.

“Maddening Lullabies” wastes no time in laying out AV’s sound and style for the listener. Almost instantly, the heart-on-her-sleeve-styled vocals join in with the singer-songwriter-styled guitar strum and light drumming. It instantly pulled me in and had me sold with the emotion that came with every single word of this opening track. Although overall this track is fairly light, there’s something perfectly poppy and commercial about the delivery but also something so indie and cutesy about it at the same time. It’s almost confusing to listen to but in the best possible way. It’s comforting and sweet which is just what I wanted this morning but also has this almost sting to it with the amount of feelings that emanate from the track.

Things ramp up for “Neon Signs” and, instantly, you are given a different side of AV.. Although the gorgeous vocals still remain in the spotlight, “Neon Signs” brings a new sense of angst to this album and an undeniable sense of power where, in the first track, it was mostly soft and sweet. I love the attitude that this track brings to the album and how different it feels from the first one. It made me hopeful that the remaining three songs would also show the different sides of this amazing musician. Whereas there was something almost dreamy about “Maddening Lullabies”, this second track has more of a strict feeling to it. AV.’s voice still does a dazzling dance over the instrumentation but that instrumentation just feels a bit more rigid which just adds to the complete switch in style.

As soon as “Happier” took over my house, I knew it was going to be my favorite track on this release. Reverting back to the almost light and playful mood of the first track, I loved how, at face value, this song is super uplifting and poppy but, when you start listening to the words, you realize that the heartbreak is real and strong on this one. Again, AV.’s heart-on-her-sleeve lyrics and vocal delivery were in the spotlight throughout this three-minute song. Sure, some of the lines seemed just a bit cheesy but the way she delivers them had me jumping on the train that is “Happier”.

AV. expands on the heartbreak sung about in “Happier” in “Ghost Of You” but really lets the emotion take over. There’s a darkness in her voice that takes over here that I found absolutely staggering. It’s still her signature sound and style but there’s no denying that there’s a tinge of pain and hurt throughout this one that had only ever been nodded to in the previous tracks. Hearing AV. really let her emotions go in this track was a very beautiful moment in an already truly gorgeous album.

‘Made of Stone’ closes out with “Who I Am” which is equally beautiful and triumphant. There’s a sense of command with the instrumentation and vocals that I had not caught on to previously which made this an epic way to end the quick album. Although a bit lengthy at four and a half minutes long, I found myself completely lost in everything about this song and as it faded out and I was left in the silence of my house, I realized just how big of an impact each of these five songs has had on me.

‘Made of Stone’ is a quick listen but it’s a powerful one. It’s a bit slower and more indie singer-songwriter than I tend to go but it hit the spot on this manic Monday morning. Need to relax, get some emotion out, or just chill out for a minute? Put on ‘Made of Stone’ by AV.. Seriously.

My Favorite Track(s): “Happier”

For Fans Of: Heart On Your Sleeve Vocals; Singer-Songwriter Vibes with Pop Tendencies

Mosh-ability: 1 out of 10

What My Cats Thought Of It: Both cats slept upstairs on my bed

How Badly I Want To See This Performed Live: 7.2 out of 10

My Overall Rating: 8.6 out of 10

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Listen to the title track, “Made of Stone”, HERE!

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