In a music industry that seems to be moving ever closer to being taken over by synthesizers and electronic backing, anything that breaks away and has a sound of its own is a welcome change.
With her debut EP Meet me in the Middle, Toronto-based singer-songwriter Erin Hunt has given the music world something completely refreshing.
With a sound that can’t help but elicit images of a dimly lit jazz club, Meet me in the Middle is a fusion of soul, R&B, and pop, with a nice dash of Latin flair thrown into the mix to make for an album that is anything but generic.
Hunt’s voice is edgy, unique, and sultry, fitting the mood and instrumental stylings of her songs perfectly. To add to this, Hunt’s voice has a strength that will immediately grab—and hold—the attention of her listeners. Even in the mellow “The Woman I Am,” the talented singer’s voice never falters or sounds the least bit weak. Instead, Hunt‘s vocals remain strong and soulful for the EP’s entirety.
Although having different stylistic approaches to R&B, from the bluesy “Ain’t Nobody” to the Latin-jazz flair of “If You Believe,” the songs on Meet me in the Middle share the same quality of lyricism and emotion. Hunt manages to achieve the difficult feat of addressing common song themes, such as relationships and nostalgia, in a way that comes off as pure and full of real emotional connection, rather than cheesy or cliché.
Making Hunt’s debut even more impressive is the fact that each song is completely distinct from the rest. Unlike some albums where the songs start to melt into one another, each piece on Meet me in the Middle has a specific sound that makes it stand out from the others. Even the two Latin spiced songs, “My Friends” and “If You Believe”, are different enough to avoid being meshed into one.
All told, there is nothing middling about Erin Hunt’s Meet me in the Middle. Soul, strength, and a unique sound—Meet me in the Middle has it all. If you’re not a fan of R&B, soul or jazz, I’d suggest giving Erin Hunt a listen. You might just meet the music that will change your opinion of the genre.
Carly Doenges – MuzikReviews.com Contributor
October 15, 2009
