Shaina Hayes - “Kindergarten Heart”

Photo by Noemie Sylvestre

Montreal-based singer-songwriter Shaina Hayes returns to the blog upon the release of “Kindergarten Heart,” the title track from her brand new LP.

The tune begins atop a mystifying and ethereal ambience provided by the vibrancy of distant strings. The notes from an acoustic guitar quickly emerge, delightfully finger-plucked in an energetic manner, yet somehow managing to bear a semi-melancholic and introspective vibe. The result is an enthralling sound, full of wonder and excitement.

Hayes’ magnificent vocal is next to arrive, exquisitely performed with a raw authenticity, which is one of the reasons we originally became so enamored with her sound. And with “Kindergarten Heart,” careful listeners shall catch momentary glimpses that are reminiscent of Fiona Apple’s honest demeanor, forever one of our favorites, for those who have been paying attention.

Around the one-minute mark, the arrangement expands, bringing with it the subtle churning of the rhythm section and the breezy, melodic notes from a piano. If you’ll recall from our previous review of Hayes, we were immediately enchanted by her double-tracked vocal method, and we are delighted to inform you that patience shall reward you with more of that in “Kindergarten Heart.”

The second half of the track is marked by a phenomenal and otherworldly spotlight on the pedal steel, which, again, checks off another one of our boxes for the genre. Since our blog’s inception, we often find it exceedingly difficult to resist any song that beholds the instrument’s wondrous cries. “Kindergarten Heart” then crescendoes to an exuberant display of layered vocals, culminating in a celebration of contemplative nostalgia.

For those of you who looking to revitalize the wonder and bliss from your past, the first step on your journey is to press that play button.

-HD