Vikki Gilmore - “Stranded”

Montreal-based singer-songwriter Vikki Gilmore arrives on the blog with the wonderfully stripped-back vibes of her latest single, “Stranded.”

This track opens up with the ethereal sounds of some well-placed keys before expanding into a softly plucked acoustic guitar performance. The mood is pleasant and chill and you’d be hard-pressed to find a better soundtrack go with your morning coffee. But be warned not to let the subject matter swallow you whole, for this number explores the idea of loving someone too much, without giving adequate attention to your own needs.

Gilmore’s vocal is confident and emotive, encompassing all the qualities that made us fans of such artists as Phoebe Bridgers and Lizzy McAlpine. Up through the first chorus, “Stranded” primarily consists of the guitar and vocals, but the tension that is building through Gilmore’s vocal delivery plays a large role in foreshadowing the approaching elevation. And at right around a minute and fifteen seconds into the song, the rest of the band shows up, providing a solid uptick in the rhythm that urges the production forward.

If you’ve ever read a single page of our blog, you’ll know that once the falsetto “ooooh” vocals appear, we simply had to feature this track. They carry a sense of grace that brings a feeling of peace to the story being told, offering balance by shining a light on the proverbial darkness. Beneath Gilmore’s voice lies a subtle layer of swelling vocal harmonies, which work wonders in expanding the production, especially as they rise to the surface when the end approaches.

This is our first time hearing from Vikki Gilmore, but if “Stranded” is any indication of what is to come, we simply cannot wait to hear more.

-HD