Natalie Estes - 20/20 Vision

​Natalie Estes

20/20 Vision
self-released; 2016

​3.7 out of 5

By Jamie Funk

Natalie Estes was born and raised in Nashville. Can we all agree that music was going to be in her blood? Nashville continues to be a breeding ground of fantastic musicians. At an early age Estes had a love for music. Years later she released a four-song EP entitled 20/20 Vision. She is still very young and a student at Vanderbilt University.

Her EP is commercially viable and showcases some of her talent. It’s undeniably pop. I can’t say she releasing anything that hasn’t been around before but she does have a fantastic voice. I was reminded of Amy Winehouse when it came to her vocals. 

She opens with “Until I Do” which is a single-worthy tune. The music is good but also felt pretty familiar in a pop top 40 type of way. I wasn’t a huge fan of the drums. Her jazzy, dynamic voice is what elevates the song into memorable territory.

I enjoyed the second track “Where There’s Smoke There’s Fire”” which has a funky ’70s vibe mixed in with contemporary pop. The instrumentation was a little more enjoyable to me this time around and the songs have a celebratory hook that is quite infectious. “Reminds Me of You” is a soft, more emotionally resonant ballad. It shows a different side to her music and is pure pop. She closes with “Bad Game” that has the most energy of the four songs. It’s a solid closer. 

It’s pretty obvious to me the Estes is making music that is represented in the mainstream. She has a lot of talent but the market she is targeting is so oversaturated with competition it’s ridiculous. I stand by the sentiment that sounding original in today's world is the most important thing to finding “success.” This EP showcases her talent but I would her encourage her to think about how she could stick out more from the crowd. 

​Although I found this EP predictable and latching onto tropes you hear in modern pop you can’t deny her exceptional vocal talents. This is a good start and I  hope to hear her come into her own.

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