TRACK REVIEW:
Sarah Cripps
Leave Behind In is available via:
https://soundcloud.com/sarahcripps/leave-behind-1
GENRES:
Indie; Country; Roots
ORIGIN:
Toronto, Canada
RELEASE DATE:
September, 2017
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IT is back to Canada…
PHOTO CREDIT: Jen Squires
and an artist who has a very interesting background. I will talk more about Sarah Cripps but, before then, a few different subjects. Listening to her music and I am reminded of the classic album, Rumours (Fleetwood Mac). I am compelled to talk about Canada and the proliferation of music coming from the country at the moment; Country music and variation of the genre; making a record whilst embarking on turbulent times; changing the game and not following worn narratives – embracing weirdness and turning the bleak times into something positive. Rumours is, without a lie, one of the greatest albums of all time. It is a record that amazes millions but I hear few come out and name it as an influence. To be fair; there are legions of musicians who incorporate elements of the album into their own game but they do not actually highlight the record as a muse. Maybe that is because of the subliminal and unconscious inspiration of the music – they do not need to mention it as (the music) is ingrained in the psyche and flow. Cripps, in an interview she conducted not too long ago, mentioned the album and how it has been a pivotal record in her life. It is interesting hearing it mentioned because, for me, it is something that deserves highlighting and proper investigation. The reason I wanted to talk about it was because of the complexities and nuances on the album. Songs are not stilted and samey: one receives an array of different textures and styles throughout Rumours. From the rushing Rock of Don’t Stop to the Country vibes of Never Going Back Again; the multi-part The Chain through to the trippy and swaying Gold Dust Woman – a real bonanza of invention and the spectacular. The band, going through a torrid and uncertain time, managed to create an album that is cohesive, insanely good and timeless. It is amazing it got made and managed to reach the public.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jen Squires
Any other band going through relationship splits and disagreements would have created something sloppy and unfocused. It is not a surprise Rumours has translated into the hearts of most and been adapted by modern musicians. I am not sure when it came into Cripps’ life but, hearing about her album and the influences she incorporates; it seems Rumours is a big factor. I can hear many threads of the record on the single, Leave Behind. If it is the representation and guide of what her L.P. will contain – it is likely to be a fantastic and truly immersive experience. Those are words I do not say about many artists but they apply in this case. Before moving onto a new subject; it is worth noting, on her latest track, there are no signs of any fakery and commercialism. I will chat more about Cripps as a genuine star but, like Rumours, there is nothing ordinary and processed about her work. The industry feeds off people who are able to get into the studio and get their voice fed through the machine. Listen to any of your modern-day Pop stars and you can bet, if you asked them to perform live, their voice would not sound anything like it is on the record. There are few out there who can genuinely hold a tune and refute the luxuries and drugs of the studio. Performance-enhancing gadgets and devices seem to be eaten up by modern idols – but it does not end there. So many other genres and acts process their vocals and do not really feel a need to be genuine. This is the opposite of what Sarah Cripps wants to achieve. Having read about her, and listened to her older sounds, she is determined to be seen as a real and worthy artist. There is no desire to have her voice treated and take away the emotion and passion we can hear on record. Leave Behind is a typical slice of brilliance that focuses on that instrument.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jen Squires
Leave Behind is the lead-off single from Cripps’ self-titled album and highlights her natural abilities in full flow. I was reading an interview - that she features on her Facebook page - where she was at a nearby breakfast joint and a waiter misunderstood an answer she gave to a question – one concerning the lack of Auto-Tune on her record. I am not sure if that is a clever line to raise a point but it seems, when hearing any musicians speak, the public expect there to be a level of doctoring and distortion. I am not saying every artist is a fake and fraud but it seems amazing we live in a time when so many of the biggest artists feel the need to take the easy road into music. If you look at all the biggest songs of the week – those that get the massive YouTube views – and you will see they all belong to Pop stars. There are Rap and Hip-Hop artists but there is a real split between the commercial, big-label names and the proper artists who do not want to conform. I am not suggesting your Taylor Swifts and Katy Perrys represent the entirety of the Pop market – they can both perform live and demonstrate true talent – but there are so many young artists who do not have the confidence and ability to actually sing. It is a rather worrying statistic and one that needs addressing. The type of people who listen to the processed performers are young girls, normally. They might not have aspirations of getting into the music industry but there will be many who have that dream. If they think the way to do that is by being dishonest and relying on money and looks – rather than talent and ability – then that is sending out a bad message. Many can argue that is the way the mainstream has always been but I have noticed it being exacerbated over the past few years.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jen Squires
Sarah Cripps does not feel the need to strangle the life out of her voice because her story is one that demands a raw and real interpretation. I mentioned an interview she conducted but it raised a couple of interesting revelations. Cripps has had a dark few months/years and struggled to find a clear footing and defining light. We all go through the rough patches but, whatever her circumstances, it appears music has been the way to channel that sense of hurt and confusion into something productive. Because of that, her vocal is queen and something that shines through in everything she does. It seems, looking at Cripps, she has the potential to be a big star. There are many different aspects that mark her out as a future inspirer. Not to address shallow subjects but she is a very striking artist who can buckle the knees on looks alone. I know it is shaky ground mentioning beauty and highlighting that as a reason to follow a musician but Cripps is an alluring and beguiling presence that gets into the heart. Her music is fantastic and deep and her social media pages revealing and informative. Over the past few months; she has been updating her pages regarding the new track – and the video for it. I have been looking elsewhere and it would be nice to know more about her and the day-to-day stuff. Maybe she is concerned with the business side of things – not making her social media too personal – but I would like to know more about where she lives and what is going on with her. She is a stunning artist but I wonder whether there is a hesitation when it comes to being too open. Maybe there is that feeling that, if there are too many details and revelations, it detracts from her music and true purpose. I am fascinated learning more about Cripps and how her music career began. The music provokes imagination and speculation: finding where the heroine started her life and what drives her would give fans/journalists a better insight.
Country music has been in the news recently following the awful shootings in Las Vegas. I am going to write about it later but feel the genre has been pushed into the limelight for the wrong reasons. Against the horror that was witnessed recently; I have been interested discovering more about Country and the different flavours and strands available. It is a genre that still gets people balking and resisting. Maybe they have that old view of the music and the type of artists that perform: the likes of Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks, perhaps. Country is not a simple and predictable forum, to be fair. Modern Country does have a little bit of that but most artists are incorporating other sounds into the mix; keeping it fresh and unpredictable. Most artists, the leading ones at least, come from Nashville and other parts of the U.S. It is rare finding a Canadian artist that source from Country music. Maybe I am wrong: there might be a lot of Canadian acts who are projecting their own blend of Country. Cripps puts Indie and Alternative undertones into her music but, against that, shades of Country. It is interesting seeing it all come together but it is not surprising when thinking about Canada. In the coming weeks, I am issuing a moratorium on Canadian acts as I am featuring them quite heavily. It is nothing against the nation but it seems a large percentage of my current workload is based in Canada – for a British journalist, it seems rather odd. The U.S. is a larger music market, so it would make more sense spending more time there. Before I do; I wanted to write about Sarah Cripps as she is a talent that warrants greater interpretation. Not only is her personality and story intriguing: she performs the sort of music one does not often hear these days. It gets me thinking about Canada and why there is such productivity and diversity.
PHOTO CREDIT: Ryan Nolan
No matter what part of Canada you go to; you can guarantee the nation will bring sensational music to the earlobes. Canada does have huge swathes of wilderness – where one will not find too much music – but the urban areas will be more productive. Most of my Canadian features tend to revolve around Toronto/Ontario. It seems a lot of the best music is coming from there and, whatever is in the air, it is inspiring artists to push the envelope. Over the past few weeks; I have featured everything from Garage and Rock to Pop and Alternative. The area is as varied and meaningful as any other part of the world. There does seem to be a ‘Canadian mantra’ that goes something like this: we will not conform and follow the worst traits of music. There are plenty of U.S. artists who are determined to succumb to the instincts of commercialism but something different about Canada. It appears the artists here are not willing to sell a part of themselves to get rich, quick. I have mentioned how varied Country music is but that is also true of the Canadian landscape. I think social and political aspects are as meaningful when it comes to the role of the musician. If one lives in a nation where the leader is hopeless or a raving nut-job – the U.K. and U.S. spring to mind – then that will create stress and daily tension. Maybe there is not a strong link but every musician is going to be moved and affected by political happenings. In Canada, where they have a decent and noble leader, it means the nation is far less stressed and uncertain. There are issues in Canada but they are in safe hands, for sure. If you live in a nation where you do not have to worry all the time; that means you can concentrate on music and make it the way you want to.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jen Squire
Sarah Cripps album was created during a rather worrying and dark period in her life. Every one of us goes through times we feel fractured and lost. It is difficult making sense of things and trying to turn all those swirling feelings into something fully-formed and inspirational. Referring back to the interview she conducted near her home; it seems Cripps is willing to open her wounds and talk to journalists about the bad times she has gone through. Leave Behind, effectively, is the shedding of one skin and the embrace of a new one. During the recording of her songs; it seems Cripps was conforming to ideals and being who others wanted her to be. In any society, there is a feeling a woman has to fit into boxes and follow a certain path. It must have been a lot to take in for a woman who wanted to make music in her own way – free from pressures and being labelled. I am not sure how much of these pressures concern personal roles and areas away from music. What I mean is, it is possible Sarah Cripps might have felt pressured into looking and behaving a certain way. Perhaps the stress was internal and the problems stemmed from her personal life. Relationships and work pressures are important: the need to be a certain person and act a particular way can put a strain on anyone. All of these possibilities and pains hit Cripps hard and lead her to assess her life. Making music is her way is the next step to a better, clearer life. Young women are often judged and meant to act the way society want them to. This is true in the music industry so it is no wonder the sounds of Leave Behind - and the album as a whole – are original, personal and forward-thinking.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jen Squires
Cripps is among a group of artists who have turned negative situations into progressive positives. She has, as she said, embraced weirdness and made that count for her. Cripps felt pressure to out her album out quickly and, affected by the pressure, made it on her own terms. More and more musicians are striking against the need to rush-release records and do it the way a label/management company want. Being introduced to David Martin (her producer) sort of turned things around. Arranged by Sony Publishing; it all made sense. Cripps might see it as fate – although there is no such thing: things do not happen for a reason or guided by divine intervention – but, in reality, it was a stroke of good luck and the reward for her own hard work. It is easy to see fortune and realisation as pre-destined but that does not give Cripps credit. She has worked hard and long to make music on her own terms so, meeting a great producer is the result of seeking and curiosity. When Martin met Cripps; he was impressed by her strong-willed drive and vivacity. The feisty kid that came to his attention has blossomed into a confident woman who has found comfort and understanding. That relationship was sparked years ago and since her E.P. in 2011; they have turned her art into something heralded and adored by radio stations and fans alike. Her upcoming L.P. is the once-in-a-lifetime record that is the summation and result of her years of hard work and dedication. The music she is making right now is the truest assessment of who she really is. If other artists are creating records that can get them to the mainstream pretty sharp: Cripps is writing songs that resonate in her heart and mean a lot. It is impressive the Canadian artist is following her own course but no surprise, considering the issues she has faced. Anyone who has had to face doubts and the need to assess themselves would make these sorts of changes.
Before I come to the song itself; it is worth mentioning artists who, all things considering, find their own way and turn their past into something extraordinary. There are so many artists out there and it can be really hard deciphering who the truly worthy are – so many average options in the pack! I do get a little bogged down by artists that sound the same as everyone else or have a very familiar background. In truth, Cripps’ realisations and revelations are the same as many others - but the way she has turned her experiences into something positive is not THAT familiar. I see a lot of artists take the pain and turbulence and make music that is very dark and seething. That is quite a risk when one thinks the point of music is to raise spirits and provide something nourishing – that is the way I think about it, anyway. For Cripps, she has wrestled against conformity and searched for a producer who can take her music to the next stage. That has happened so now, in songs such as Leave Behind, she sounds assured and comfortable. I have mentioned albums like Rumours and how important they are to her. It is clear the effect that album has had on Cripps and it is wonderful hearing all the strands and emotions stir and bubble in a colourful and stunning concoction.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jen Squires
There are yearning vocals and impassioned sighs in the opening moments of Leave Behind. The vocal is rich and sonorous and mixes in romance, contemplation and possibilities. It is interesting investigating the depths and contrasts in her voice. There is that passion and tenderness but a definite strength and defiance. The flames, as it is said, wrote the heroine’s name and she can’t look now – keen to leave behind all that was helpless and torched. She has been left blind and seen all the signs form; the danger and caution were there – now, there that desire to step somewhere safe and start a-new. For me, I hear elements of Stevie Nicks and Alison Krauss in Cripps. The latter comes through when one thinks of Country music: the former, comparing Cripps’ music to that in Rumours. The voice is superb and luscious. It runs like an ocean and has warmth and candour. The composition is supportive and atmospheric but does not encroach on the vocal. It is chaste and refined but there are some aching strings and pattering percussion notes. It all blends into the mix and forms something brooding and sensual. It is impossible to hear the voice and not be stunned and affected by its beauty. Cripps, when she sings, is looking to cast away the terror and danger she faced along the way. There are few that can deny the meaning in her lyrics. The words escape possible stereotype but do maintain a nice balance of familiarity and the personal. One can identify with the metaphors and images spoken: the heart-aching and tremulous vocal provides a spark of imagination and drive to the song. In the early stages; the song draws you in and you hear about the plight and struggle of the heroine. As much as you bond with the music and the lyrics – it is the vocal that really hits the mark. I have made comparisons to people like Alison Krauss but that would do a disservice to Cripps. She has her own sound and direction but one notices a sheer quality shining through.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jen Squires
The messages that come through in Leave Behind stem from the years of questioning Cripps experienced. It is difficult turning those darker times into something positive. Cripps is someone who wants to embrace the weirdness and darker times but there is no sense the listener is being dragged down and tormented in the song. It is a moment that reveals the pains and doubts but looks ahead and saying goodbye to those hard times. Many will be able to get on-board with that and connect with the music. The humming, layered backing vocals heighten the song and provide extra chills and thrills. It is a gorgeous and sumptuous sound that gets into the brain and takes the imagination somewhere else. One closes their eyes when listening to the song. So caught are you by the entrance of the vocals you lose yourself, briefly. I was following the song and the heroine ignoring the warning signs. There is a degree of the oblique throughout Leave Behind. The heroine is not garrulous but does not reveal the truth behind the words. I wonder whether there were relationship quarrels or issues with self-identity that led her to assess things and make those changes. It is the transformation and betterment that comes through in every note. That velvet and chocolate-like vocal is warm and nourishing but one notices a certain pain and accelerated heartbeat. Maybe things are not as settled and secure as they should be. Cripps has work to do and things do need to alter. “Don’t forget me” is a mantra that is backed by a male voice (not sure whose) and given a real sense of stir and shiver. Perhaps relationships are playing into things as the heroine wants to be remembered – but she needs to do her own thing and get out of where she is. The only thing Cripps is leaving behind is the madness of her mind – it seems she does not have an attachment to much else.
A desire to be more positive and strong is hard to shake off. In the final moments, those intentions get hotter and heavier. The percussion gets harder and more intense as the strings howl and vibrate. The vocals heighten, too, and the song reaches a real crescendo. It is an intoxicating experience to the very last second and one is reluctant to step away from the track. Maybe it has taken years to get to where she is but if her forthcoming album sounds like this – many people will be delighted. I am a fan of Cripps’ music and know she has the potency and abilities to take things as far as she needs to. Leave Behind is a song that will strike many. We can all relate to some of the words being spoken but I feel there is a unique and troubled heart beating at the core of the song. It is a fantastic track that gets under the skin and stays in the memory for a long time to come. I have gone back to the song and always feel a sense of security when listening to it. More than that; my mind wanders in different directions and I sense new elements and truths throughout. It is easy visualising the images Cripps sings and I feel she has provided her all in the song.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jen Squires
I have spoken a lot about Sarah Cripps and how her music has come together and evolved. She is an exciting talent and someone I want to hear more from. A lot of her social media posts concern her new song and there is little about touring. I wonder whether she is going to be touring through Canada and doing local shows at the moment. When her album takes hold – and people start to learn more about the woman behind the songs – that will get the demand high. The U.S. waits for her and I wonder how much connection there is between the U.S. and Canada. The nations have a bit of a rivalry going – the U.S. teases and bullies a bit – so I do wonder, genuinely, if Canadian artists are afforded smooth passage into America. Canada has plenty of great venues and cities but Cripps will want to get her music out the world. I know the U.K. will take her to heart and there are ample locations she could get exposure in. We are taking a lot of international talent in – sounds like I am describing an animal sanctuary here! – but we need to open our doors more foreign talent. The U.K. is keen to distance itself from Europe but, when it comes to music, minds are more open. I am excited seeing how Cripps progresses and what next year holds in store. There will be music coming and she proves, on Leave Behind, there is a lot of ammunition and fire in her soul. That can only be a good thing for someone who has spent a long time getting where she is. During the time she was recording and working on her material; she was watching and embracing a love of classic Horror films. She would practice special effects and work with make-up; put that sense of unease and drama into a song that urges the listener to feel a sense of nervousness but, also, embrace something positive and pure.
Before taking this down; I wanted to congratulate Cripps for coming far in a short period of times. I know she has been making music for over six years but it seems like she has developed and evolved significantly this past year. The Toronto resident is someone who wants to make changes in the music industry and compel other acts to think about what they are recording. I have chatted about Auto-Tune and how there was the expectation Cripps would take that course. She has not, of course, but there are many of her peers that do. It is worrying seeing it happen in the music industry but acts like Sarah Cripps will act as guidance to them – what can be achieved when you strip the machines away and embrace the power of music and the voice. It is going to be exciting watching Cripps step into 2018 and how far she will come. I want to see her in the U.K and whether songs like Leave Behind will get international airplay. It is a wonderful time and I am not surprised Canada has produced a fine artist. Before I leave this review, and wrap up my ‘Canadian phase’ for a while – I want to get people listening to Sarah Cripps and her stunning music. There are few out there like her so we need to promote her work as much as possible. Leave Behind is a fantastic song that embraces and assesses the pains of the past and shows the young heroine is very much…
PHOTO CREDIT: Jen Squires
LOOKING to the future.
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Follow Sarah Cripps
PHOTO CREDIT: Jen Squires
Official:
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/sarah_cripps
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/sarahcrippsmusic/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sarah_cripps/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJifa9LQ8ekNc7eNIr23zbw
SoundCloud: