Snowpoet is a bit of a misnomer, there is nothing cold about this band. Lauren Kinsella’s voice combined with the keyboards of Chris Hyson reach into the soul of sounds, creating a warmth and magic not often associated with electronic instruments on Heartstrings. Songs were developed from improvisations live in the studio, generating richer tones from analog synths and layering Kinsella’s vocals in ways that make these songs tug at the emotions.
The opening moments of ‘Tenderness’ with saxophone and piano playing single note phrases, establish both the simplicity and elegance of their approach. Layers of vocals get added along the way, combining with layers of synths to softly propel this song into moments where instruments rise and fall like tender winds brushing against your cheeks.
Snowpoet’s songs envelop listeners, swirling softly and creating spaces to get lost in. There seem to be so many layers added to ‘Our World’, the expectation would be that the song would crumble under the weight of the synthesizers, yet the music is so gentle that as more instruments get added to the mix there seems to be no additional weight.
Hyson along with Matt Robinson, who also plays piano and synths, create a musical bed that manages to merge jazz and folk in ways that blend sonics straddling both worlds. “forest bathing,” a soft, gentle reverie illustrates how sometimes less is actually more, the pianos of the two luxuriating in the warm waters.
There are also times when there is a push and pull between the electronic and acoustic instrumentation. While ‘FOR YOU’ enters on lovely piano phrases and the bass of Josh Arcoleo, when Dave Hamblett’s drums enter the mix, instead of dominating, they offer a base for synthesizers to fill in spaces, while Kinsella voice builds, with multiple vocal lines on top of each other, weaving in and out of the mix, generating harmonies lapping against each other like waves on the shoreline.
Snowpoet create a world of sound incorporating layer upon layer, blending sounds while shading everything in ways that is distinctly their own. Kinsella, whether singing or talking, is charge of every phrase, while the keyboards, bass and drums bend and blend, creating sounds that intrigue and power the music while never overplaying. Even on a song like ‘Host’, where the drums come in hot, almost overcharged, the band find a mix that works and makes sense.
Rather than generating sound and fury, Snowpoet offer the skill and restraint that makes Heartstrings tug without tearing, reaching into the soul, finding the essence of jazz and modern folk.