Eliza Shaddad - “In the Morning (Grandmother’s Song)”

SXSW 2022 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 7

Pairs Well With…Julien Baker, Lucy Dacus, Indigo De Souza

Dreamy bedroom folk weighted down by an open heart, the bedrock of Eliza Shaddad’s sophomore record The Woman You Want is sparse and songwriting focused. From there though, Shaddad’s music takes on different forms track to track including orchestral pop (“In the Morning”), Southern rock (“Heaven”), and new-wave synth builds (“Waiting Game”). These changes in tone make the album sonically rewarding and Shaddad handles the different forms well, slow and patient where needed and loosing up when leaning more into indie rock/pop territory. While full and ambitious, Shaddad never sounds busy or even too dense, finding space like a psychedelic rock artist painting with wide brushstrokes. When Eliza Shaddad does allow for more open space like on “Blossom” and “Tired of Trying”, it resonates rather than just floats along, committed songcraft balancing tender and tense throughout. (Kevin McStravick)