Mo Kenney - “Evening Dream”
Photo by Matt Horseman
Juno-nominated, Nova Scotia-based singer-songwriter Mo Kenney has just released the mellow, folk-driven sounds of “Evening Dream.”
Kenney initially fills the listener’s ears with the lone strums of an acoustic guitar before “Evening Dream” expands to a fully fleshed arrangement. The track comes to life with a lo-fi rhythm section that provides a delicious sense of intimacy, hitting us with an upbeat tempo and the deep, creamy-centered notes from a bass.
“Evening Dream” truly excels in the vocal department, with Kenney’s performance beginning along with the rest of the band, exquisitely double-tracked and bearing a warm, analogue glow. Kenney’s voice is somehow simultaneously reminiscent of both Julien Baker and Liz Phair and we had no choice but to feature the tune for this very reason.
On the refrain, Kenney delivers the heart of the song– a vocal hook that has been stuck in our heads since our first listen: “Goodbye, baby… We weren’t ready…” which forms a soothing soundtrack to many of life’s situations, from relationships to long lost friends. All of this is highlighted by the soft notes from a piano, delicately filling the spaces left in the production.
“Evening Dream” beholds the satisfying heft of nostalgia, and pressing play feels like returning to your hometown, just as you left it, however many years ago. The song comes equipped with marvelous vocal harmonies and a stripped-back middle-eight that holds your hand as it leads you into a tastefully displayed guitar solo, ultimately ending with another serving of that glorious vocal hook.