A New Reality Mind

Local (Oakland) singer/songwriter Madeline Kenney serves up another batch of earnest indie rock. Heartfelt, but often wry and whimsical, adding an ineffable “single-raised-eyebrow” of inside jokeness. Rooted in piano ballads but featuring plenty of dazzling electronic and chamber pop elements.

FCC CLEAN
RIYL: Wye Oak, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Gia Margaret, Jenny Hval, Weyes Blood, Regina Spektor
TRY: 3, 7, 4 5

(1.) (0:38) Short piano intro
(2.) (2:01) Slow-building, with really cool vocoder and stabs of electric guitar
(3.) (2:58) Grand, sweeping with a nice synthy backbone. Wow
(4.) (3:41) Shimmery midtempo with big crescendos
(5.) (3:43) Chilled beat, smooth vocals, densely-textured, with nice saxophone elements
(6.) (4:07) Snarky vocals and phaser effects over a steady piano beat
(7.) (3:17) Dream-state tranquility. Lush vocals and ambient backdrop that blossoms into a busy beat
(8.) (3:42) Layered vocals, hand drums and occasional synth
(9.) (4:11) Spare, minimal, with cooed vocals
(10.) (3:56) Long intro, confessional ballad
(11.) (4:02) Lilty chillwave. Good stuff