UK vocalist and artist CRYSTAL JACQUELINE released her initial solo effort in 2012. In 2013 she released a three track single through UK specialist label Fruits de Mer Records, and shortly after she was ready with her second full length production, “Sun Arise”, this time released through fledgling label Mega Dodo Records. A vinyl edition of this production followed in early 2014.
Those who are familiar with the labels in question won’t be surprised to read that this is all about psychedelic music. Crystal Jacqueline is a vocalist well suited to this type of music, with a voice that can be innocent and sensual on one hand and somewhat colder and cynical on the other, the latter aspect of a more subtle kind mind you and coming to prominence as what I might describe as undercurrents more than a defined type of delivery as such. Light in tone and controlled in delivery, this is the kind of vocalist that can give men of all ages rather wet and vivid dreams.
The songs themselves range from the ethereal and dreamladen to the somewhat darker and more brooding in mood and atmosphere, from distinct 60’s influenced psychedelic pop with the sense of innocence that is a fairly common feature of music from that age to songs of a more mournful kind. The vocals always a and mostly the central feature, but supplemented nicely by well thought out instrument arrangements. There’s plenty of layered, ethereal and dreamladen guitar and keyboard constellations of a distinctly psychedelic nature to enjoy, but songs with a more dampened psychedelic expression have their place too.
The three cover tracks from her single are standout tracks here, and title track Sun Arise with it’s almost chantlike opening and distinct psychedelic expression is on par with those. Dream I is another highlight, and the alternating barren and layered arrangements in the different phases of concluding track Sundown can also be added to the list of highly mesmerizing compositions among the dozen on this album.
If you enjoy psychedelic pop and rock and have an affection for music of that kind with a firm foundation in the 1960’s and 70’s, “Sun Arise” is an album that will intrigue you. Especially if you have a soft spot for female vocalists exploring this kind of music, and in particular if what might be described as a very English woman is the vocalist in question and has a style that is sensual and innocent both, yet also capable of adding darker undercurrents of a more subtle character to her delivery.
My rating: 90/100
