There is something effortlessly comforting about Black Belt Eagle Scout’s forthcoming record, At The Party with My Brown Friends. As a whole, the record provides a similar sensation to changing into dry clothes after getting caught in the rain, or drinking a soothing, warm beverage in the small hours of the morning. Yet, the record is also reminiscent of the thoughts that race through our heads in the quieter moments of our day, when we are alone and forced to confront whatever it is that may be festering internally. This is, of course, an overwhelming testament to Katherine Paul’s songwriting. While the music is undeniably noteworthy in its own right, its inviting, gossamer-like quality certainly does not go unnoticed. It’s Paul’s raw approach to the written word that leaves the soul rocked and the heart aching in the most wonderful way.
Paul’s songwriting feels as if she was given a road map to the human heart and studied it meticulously. What results are lyrics that are absolutely beautiful, yet not without resonance in their own right. She encompasses a unique ability to establish universal connection through the written word alone. It is rare to witness an individual’s words yield the capability to resonate deeply with many, yet that is the precise capability At The Party with My Brown Friends possesses. This is because the record’s lyrical touchstones, to name a few, desire (‘My Heart Dreams’), support (‘At the Party’), and time spent with those we hold close (‘You’re Me and I’m You’, ‘Going to the Beach with Hayley’) are often embedded within the very fabric of the human experience.
The lyrics are, naturally, embellished by the ethereal strength of Paul’s vocal performance. Her voice eases into the flavor of each track with effortless flair, allowing the listener to soak in each note with the attention it deserves. The sense of vulnerability that stems from the equalized strength of Paul’s lyrics and vocal performance is reminiscent of a heart-to-heart between dear friends – friends who are not afraid to reminisce, reflect, ruminate, and share their aspirations with one another. In fact, At The Party with My Brown Friends is a confidant in the form of auditory art in itself; it is a best friend when one’s own is too far away to visit. Katherine Paul has struck a bullseye in the epicenter of the human soul, and has composed a record that allows all corners of the heart to be seen and spoken to.
At the Party with My Brown Friends will be released on 30th August via Saddle Creek.
