By: Staff
Gordon the Northern
Though you may not know her by name, you have probably heard her music at some point, especially if you are a fan of the X-Factor, in both the US and the UK. As well as having her music featured on the popular TV music contest, Charity Chapman has also been featured on such global hit shows as Oprah Winfrey as her songs have reached out of the screen to touch lives the world over. With a voice that mixes Sheryl Crow with a softer, more personal touch, Chapman’s short EP Gordon the Northern is a strong collection of singles that showcases her talents as a songwriter and performer, while introducing the world to the woman behind the songs that have been gracing the stages of X-Factor and other popular TV shows.
The three songs on the album are modern pop-influenced tracks that focus strongly on Chapman’s vocal and songwriting talents. “If I Could Fly” begins with piano and vocals setting up the laid-back mood of the song’s verses. Then, just when the listener feels comfortable on the relaxed groove, Chapman kicks it up a notch as she drives the music forward into the chorus. Mandolins, drums and other backing instruments come together to lift the song’s intensity level, allowing Chapman’s lyrics to come to the forefront, which is further highlighted by the added backing vocals in key points of the melody line.
“Free” follows a similar progression in the arrangement, where piano and vocals are used in tandem to kick off the song’s intro. But, here, Chapman brings in a medium pop-groove in the verse as the drums act as the pads over which she floats her vocal lines. With bluesy piano lines added in at key points of the tune, and some incredibly beautiful vocal harmonies, this track is a strong effort for Chapman, as both a songwriter and performer, as it uses creative arranging devices to reach out and connect with the audience on both a musical and lyrical level.
The short EP finishes with “In My Room,” which follows that same sort of arrangement as the previous two tracks. The piano and vocals set up the intro, before the rest of the band joins in during the first chorus to build the track’s energy level, continuing to push the music forward towards its final climax as the music builds with each subsequent verse and chorus.
This is the only downside to the EP, is that the three tracks have a similar vibe to them in regards to their arrangements. But, what saves the record is the strong songwriting and performance given by Chapman and company. Instead of sounding monotonous or predictable, listeners are caught up in the creative nuances that separate each track and not the similarities in the arrangements. Overall, a well-written and performed collection of modern-pop tracks.
