Keerthi Sridharan - all these empty hearts

Keerthi Sridharan

all these empty hearts
self-released; 2016

3.7 out of 5

By Andrew Westberry

Internationally-based alt indie acoustic artist, singer-songwriter Keerthi Sridharan balances time between school and music. Recorded in Sridharan’s own bedroom, her album all these empty hearts features elements from many styles of music, and is comprised of short, stripped-down alternative indie songs that display Sridharan’s mellow voice and talent on various instruments. 

Slow, rolling piano notes provide the background chords and context for Sridharan’s breathy vocals in “psyche,” an emotive piece in which Sridharan draws upon the techniques of classic piano-and-voice ballads while maintaining a unique presence with her expressive voice. Ukulele strumming contrasts smooth vocals in “49,” a beautiful short lullaby that lasts less than a minute yet successfully leaves a significant impression on the listener.

“radler” features an acoustic guitar quietly strumming along to highly melodic singing by Sridharan. Conventional chording patterns gradually build in intensity throughout the song, reaching a dynamic apex towards the ending before slowly fading away.

​An acoustic guitar motif begins in “promise,” a subdued ballad with one of the catchiest choruses on the entire album, and continues in the intro of “deadbolt,” providing a common link between the songs before transitioning to new material in the rest of the track. Vocal harmonies make their first appearance, creating a wider soundscape in which echoes and layers blend in with melody and rhythm.

The piano returns in “spectre” with a slowly swaying rhythm and falsetto-laced vocals, making for one of the most memorable tracks on the record. The a cappella title track ends the album with soft, sweet notes, reminding the listener of Sridharan’s ability to carry energy through her vocals alone. As a whole, all these empty hearts is a beautiful work of art that explores complex ideas in simple terms, creating an accessible music experience for fans of many musical styles and backgrounds.

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