Molly Burch – Romantic Images

Molly Burch’s Romantic Images is a record that remains consistent in its production throughout. The artist’s husky voice hits the right seductive notes, yet she delivers a shy hesitance in her music, her tracks providing a daring sense of determination as she recounts several failed attempts at love. The singer’s musical style can be described as Dua Lipa crossing over with Dove Cameron, but with the addition of a 1980s vibe.

The album opens with Control, a nostalgic number that certainly evokes visions of romance. The layers of echo pull the listener into a watery state of mind, making them feel as if they are drowning and only have the sound of their struggling breath for company. It’s sensual enough to induce pleasure but has a classic and elegant twist. The song blends right into Games, which imitates the style of its predecessor, with just a little more craving for dance.

The titular single includes the lyric, “I’m stuck in a fever dream,” which essentially sums up the listener’s experience. The hysteria of the vocals lulls one into a hypnotic daze with the image of star-crossed lovers and a devotion lost in the slips of time. Honeymoon Phase is the most honest and relatable offering. There’s something quite clever, yet ironic, in Burch’s discussion of the past, which shines through in her lyrics paired with the soundscapes of old-school love songs. The performer twists the tracks with a little bit of disco and modern production.

Back in Time is a perfect mix of jazz guitar and soul keyboards, steadily balanced with a percussive edge. The artist retains a controlled hold on each breath she lets out, along with every line she sings. The layers of harmonies in her voice are present throughout the album, but nothing else on the playlist is quite as effective at pulling listeners in, especially during the higher notes. It’s the perfect closer.

Overall, while Burch keeps to a specific style and tone, she stretches her vocals enough to add nuance to every number on the record, giving an overall sense of synergy. With many tunes sounding similar, the repetitive manner of the record does bring some lows and flat lines, but fortunately select tracks easily revitalise the album with their own quirks and aesthetic sound.

Mae Trumata
Photo: Jackie Lee Young

Romantic Images is released on 23^rd July 2021. For further information or to order the album visit Molly Burch’s website here.

Watch the video for the Heart of Gold here: