Shelby Clements - Shelby Clements

Shelby Clements

Shelby Clements
self-released; 2014

3.5 out of 5

By Ted Rogen

It seems as if Shelby Clements has a bit of an ambivalent relationship with music. She started playing in music in 2004 and then in 2010 she put her guitar to rest because she “fell out of love with playing music”. It wasn’t until she met the right people that it rekindled her drive to make music. Let’s be thankful that she met the right people because she has an absolutely gorgeous voice on her recent  self-titled release.

The five songs on the  EP revolve around guitar, vocals and a good amount of melancholy. Everything from the vocals to the strings sound so soft as if they would blow over with the slightest touch.

“Two Weeks In Winter” contains warm guitars that are picked as Clements establishes her vocal style. It’s deep, dynamic and reaches a gauntlet of emotional crevices. Even though the guitars are the main instrument on this EP it’s nice that they switch up the shades and tones. The second track “Two Weeks In Winter” revolves around acoustic guitar and is more dynamic than the first track. There is also a male singer on this track. He sounds good but in all honesty isn’t on the same level as Clements. The climax is when they combine vocal parts.

“Please Miss Me” includes some organ this time around adding to the warm vibes of the album while “Have Another Round” contains a good amount energy as well as an elusive guitar solo.

She closes with “Vala” which is arguably the highlight on the EP but unequivocally the emotionally resonant. It’s a tearjerker and be forewarned that you may get unexpectedly emotional so be careful where you play it.

Let’s all hope that Clements doesn’t fall out of love with making music again. She can write a song and a voice like that  only comes around once in awhile.

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