dearest - “A Little Too Late”

Photo by nalia

From New York City, singer-songwriter Emma Rose Botti, aka dearest, returns to the blog with the emotionally-charged, pulsing piano-driven ballad: “A Little Too Late.”

Admittedly, this is not the typical sound that we feature on our site, but once the soothing bars from the piano entered our ears, we knew that there was something special occurring within “A Little Too Late.” The track does not fall prey to the modern production tactics that tend to strangle many modern recordings; instead, it grasps the warm and classic sound of analogue, relying more upon emotion than digital manipulation.

This nostalgic and vintage fervor may have much to do with the way that Botti has been inspired by the likes of Joni Mitchell and Carole King. Once the vocal arrives, it becomes exceedingly clear that “A Little Too Late” has been crafted with raw, meticulous care– Botti was born with a voice that was forged by the music gods to deliver these heartfelt words to our ears.

As the track progresses, some subtle layers of strings rise in the distance, adding a bit of dynamic width, with hints of synth and bass arriving by midpoint. Careful listeners will detect evidence of a vocal harmony– just enough to bring weight to the vocal performance without allowing it to lose its intimate hold on the listener. About three minutes in, the bridge imbues “A Little Too Late” with ebb and flow, instilling the arrangement with glorious layers of auxiliary vocals.

Finally, the song ends just as sparse and stripped-back as it began, with just some quiet piano and Botti’s exquisitely passionate vocal performance. If you happen to be in the process of sifting through the debris of a failed relationship, you are going to need “A Little Too Late” in your arsenal of sounds.

Connect with dearest: Instagram | Spotify | Website | Soundcloud

-HD