Jordan Kyle - Chalk Outlines

Jordan Kyle

Chalk Outlines
self-released; 2016

​3.5 out of 5

By Andrew Westberry
​

Jordan Kyle has been singing and writing music since the young age of fourteen and in the five years of his promising music career, he has performed at festivals and toured throughout his home country of Canada. His intimate songs are equally enrapturing for listeners and his unique blend of acoustic singer-songwriter and pop styles are infused with just the right touch of woodsy nature and cutting edge modernity.

Chalk Outlines EP begins with the title track, a wistful ballad with delicate vocals and ultra-harmonious acoustic guitars. Purposeful plucking of classic chords layers under Kyle’s melodic voice that hovers seemingly at the edge of his range while maintaining an effortless quality. A slight vibrato tinges Kyle’s voice, and as the instruments build the dynamics of the song, he matches their intensity without strain or break.

The peaceful aura of Kyle’s songwriting style continues in “In My Head” as fingerpicking guitars lay down the soundscape for an optimistic acoustic anthem to break loose. Subtle percussion, in the form of shakers and electronic tracks, pepper the song just enough to be noticed, but they do not overpower the raw vitality that Kyle brings with his guitars and voice.

“Picture Frames” backs off from the full-band sound, instead championing a single guitar and voice in a minstrel-style folk song. Kyle carries the energy of the song with emotive singing, focusing and honing in on the characteristics that make for a spectacular performance, whether live or recorded. While ethereal harmonies back up the front and center vocals, the instrumentation of this song was kept to a minimum, allowing Kyle to communicate simply and directly with his audience.

​While only three songs long, Chalk Outlines outlines Jordan Kyle’s talent and style in a succinct and telling way that bypasses much of the unappreciated, unhelpful baggage that can come along with producing an entire debut album. This EP will serve Kyle as a springboard to recording that album in the future and will benefit by reaping the harvest of listeners that he has sown with this record.

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