Katie Schecter’s Twangy Soul & World Weary Sound Make ‘Empress’ A Winner (ALBUM REVIEW)
Katie Schecter’s third studio album, *Empress*, offers a modern take on the retro sounds that have long inspired her. Throughout the album, themes of motherhood, femininity, and the desire to impart wisdom and creativity to her child run deep, providing an intimate glimpse into Schecter’s evolving family life. The album is aptly produced by her husband, Cage the Elephant guitarist Nick Bockrath, adding a personal touch to the project.
Sonically, *Empress* fuses retro soul and pop with atmospheric dream pop and dashes of country. Session musicians Nick Movshon and Homer Steinweiss lay down the bass and drum rhythms, which serve as a rich canvas for Schecter’s vocals and guitar work.
In the title track, Schecter opens up to her daughter about the weight of motherhood, singing of the need to be strong and protective even under stress. “No such thing as too much on my plate. Used to fighting fire when you’re running an empire,” she croons over a bouncing soul groove. Her vocals are soft yet subtly powerful, whispering and crooning in a smoky voice that evokes the languid melancholy of Lana Del Rey and the sultry tones of a more subdued Etta James.
The album’s catchiest song, “Pay It No Mind,” serves as a rebuttal to the stress and responsibilities of motherhood and everyday life. “I spend too much time on useless things, and my momma said, ‘Don’t spend it in one place,’” Schecter sings over gently strummed acoustic guitar. This track introduces a bit of Nashville twang to the mix, noticeable in both Schecter’s vocals and the shimmering lead guitar licks.
That same twangy soul permeates “Shoulda Woulda Coulda,” where Schecter sings in a breathy whisper over pedal steel and a country guitar lick. The forlorn vocals and swirling strings capture the regret at the song’s core. “It’s a long walk home at night when you know what you are missing,” she laments, evoking a deep sense of longing.
The album closes with the track “Hiding Place,” which begins with an audio clip of the first time Schecter heard her daughter’s heartbeat. This slow piano ballad looks ahead to the hard times her daughter may face, with Schecter promising to be a source of comfort. “So when the mountains do fall to the heart of the sea, I’ll keep your secrets. Keep ‘em safe with me,” she sings. “I’ll be the one who won’t walk away.”
*Empress* is a heartfelt exploration of motherhood and femininity, wrapped in rich, genre-blending soundscapes that highlight Schecter’s evocative songwriting and soulful voice.
https://glidemagazine.com/318720/katie-schecters-twangy-soul-world-weary-sound-make-empress-a-winner-album-review/
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