Aaron Dombey - For The Story EP

Aaron Dombey

​For The Story EP
self-released; 2016

3.7 out of 5

By Jamie Funk
​

I'm having a hard time believing the EP For The Story by Aaron Dombey was a bedroom project using the most minimal of consumer gear. The production and recording quality sounds like it came from a professional studio. If Dombey ever wants to go into the engineering side of the music business I don't think he will have much of a problem.

That being said Dombey has some talent as a musician as well. His music certainly has a singer/songwriter vibe that also incorporates elements of jazz, pop and rock. The music is clean, with a nice groove that instills a sense of relaxation and tranquility. Dombey isn’t reinventing the wheel but the songwriting and delivery is consistent and strong.

He opens with the bluesy and laid back “Fire (I’m Not Into You).” This song was a personal favorite and I thought his vocals were exceptional. I enjoyed the juxtaposition between soulful, emotional resonant vocals and the extremely serene instrumental parts. It’s a song you snap your fingers to. After a great opener Dombey wisely gives us a song with a little more energy and pep entitled “Believe.” The guitar is so smooth on this track it is like butter. No effort required to enjoy this. The song builds up as Dombey fits so many words into a verse he's a step away from rapping. 

“Butterfly” has a Latin fusion vibe in the spirit of Santana while “Interloop” feels like a transitional piece. He closes strong with “Ann Arbor, MI” which has a jazzy, laid back vibe. I surmise those are synth horns he has in the song. In most circumstances I would not approve but somehow it works just fine in context.

At only twenty-two years old Dombey has plenty of time to improve and work on his career. With that he already has a lot going for him. For The Story is a strong, solid effort, which builds a foundation and also hints at better things to come.

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