Anna Kellam - “To Be Young”
Photo: Garrett M. Cardoso
Savannah/Nashville-based singer-songwriter Anna Kellam appears on our blog with her latest single, “To Be Young,” a track that boasts a Southern charm with a pop twist.
When you press play on “To Be Young,” you will be inviting a joyfully upbeat rhythm into your ears, including a very distinct, pulsating synth that forms the foundation in conjunction with the sound of some lo-fi drums. A touch of bass shortly appears, along with a good portion of ear candy featuring the lead guitar’s motif, which brings a rawness to the sound that we were not quite expecting, but it’s one of the elements that worms its way into your brain and will surely bring you back for multiple spins.
However, what has completely won us over here is Kellam’s vocal. She has that distinct Maggie-Rogers-ness which we so often find ourselves searching for in newer artists. Her voice sounds effortless as it glides through the peaks and valleys of the melody, delivering a subject matter of dissociation and the idea of “never allowing yourself to be content in a moment,” which resonates quite deeply with us. On the hook, we are gifted with some of the most exquisite layers of harmonies that we’ve ever heard and, at times, it is like a choir of Kellams in our ears.
Although “To Be Young” could very well hold its own on any pop playlist, it also possesses the rawness and honesty of folk music. At the same time, there are elements, such as those that permeate from the lead guitar, that will land this track in the realm of indie rock. For these reasons, we are confident that listeners from any genre will find something they love here and, like us, patiently await the next release from Anna Kellam.
And if you’re a fan of a more stripped-back vibe, look no further than Kellam’s previous release, “dog park.” This one begins with the sounds of an acoustic guitar, with Kellam’s signature pop-infused rhythm shortly falling into the place. The track includes some wonderful moments of dynamic shifting, particularly on the subdued break that arrives around midpoint. Kellam’s vocal, again, is completely on point, including another helping of those wonderful harmonies that appear in all of the right places.
-HD