Say She She
Prism
Karma Chief/Colemine
Buy via Official Store & Bandcamp | Listen Below
In February of this year, Say She She debuted with the single “Forget Me Not”—it stood out from the crowd with its winning harmonies, catchy hook and baggy, blissful groove. Three further singles arrived in due course and all sparkled with vim and vigor, making their debut album Prism a highly anticipated release.
None of the preceding four singles are present on the album—in fact it clocks in at under half an hour with just eight songs and there is a subtle but marked difference between those singles and the tracks on offer here on Prism. The common denominator across both those singles and album though is the tight harmony work throughout—all three singers take lead at various points and dovetail beautifully with each other.
The title track is a point in case. “Prism” is perfectly presented, full of three-part harmonies and effortlessly smooth, but it is a touch one-paced. Better, though, is “Believe” which demonstrates an urgency the title track doesn’t have while still allowing the vocals to work their magic.
Some of the energy of the single releases makes an appearance on the spikier “Pink Roses” and there is a delicious guitar line on “Apple of My Eye” that illuminates the whole track and sits comfortably alongside the vocals that are sumptuous. The sparsity of “Better Man” gives further space for the wonderful vocals to float by effortlessly on a bed of delectable harmonies.
Compared to the singles that came before it, the album feels as if it has had the edges rounded off it—the grit and spikiness of the singles has been replaced by smoothed-out production and songwriting. Take, for example, the chorus of that lead single “Forget Me Not”—the vocal style used there is not to be heard anywhere on the album. The fusing of Indian influenced delivery allied to the soulful music was a more unusual and winning formula, but a formula sadly unused here.
That notwithstanding, it is a fine debut album that ably demonstrates strong songwriting and tight harmonies. I would have preferred those rougher, more raucous moments to persist on the album—as is, it feels like a safer, more palatable option has been taken and hopefully more risks will be taken next time.
Notable Tracks: “Apple of My Eye” | “Better Man” | “Pink Roses”
BUYPrism via Say She She’s Official Store | Bandcamp
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