Melissa Lauren

Has been a while since we’ve taken a look at some of the fine albums from Canadian artists that continue to come On The Beat’s way. MELISSA LAUREN is a young local jazz-based singer/songwriter. She just launched her second CD, The Other Side, and it displays her potential as both a vocalist and songwriter. Lauren has also been involved in electronica projects, and is clearly a versatile talent. - The Corriere Tandum

Melissa Lauren is a real jazz singer, good in the way Blossom Dearie or Stacie Kent are good. Once you hear her sing, you want to keep listening. The Other Side, her follow-up album, is a collection of ten original tunes Laura composed on the ukulele, and a few standards including Cole Porter’s 1948 hit “Always True to You in My Fashion.” Ella did “Always True….”, Eartha did it, Peggy and Blossom did it too. So that’s the sisterhood Lauren fits in with. Also, she’s a pretty good songwriter—I like her “Somehow,” a passionate ballad with fine guitar licks by Nathan Hiltz who co-composed “Wrapped Around My Finger,” and “Fondness.” “Your Fool” is an achey, Leonard Cohenish tune that’s backed by a ‘Somewhereovertherainbow’ strum. “Secret world has a kind of horny energy. “Senses” has an almost funky country beat. “On the Other Side,” exploits an Obladi-Obladah backbeat and engages a handclapping response. Not her best. Lauren is a class act on this album. In her next one she could let go more. Just let go. The musicians are good and there are plenty of them: Eric St-Laurent, Nathan Hiltz, Ernesto Cervini, Matt Newton, Ross MacIntyre, William Sperandei, Ryan Oliver, Drew Jurecka. - Opus One Review

“It’s a confident album with plenty of charm.” - CBC

Singer-songwriter Melissa Lauren has been a part of the Toronto music community for a few years now, but with her sophomore release, The Other Side, she’s really making her mark. Lauren has a beguiling voice that mixes sweet playfulness with solid technique, control and range. Which would be plenty, but on top of that she has songwriting abilities that put her in another category from the legion of lovely crooners who enlist others’ work to tell their musical story. Harmonically speaking, Lauren’s songwriting doesn’t push a whole lot of boundaries, and she’s got a clever way with words that goes enough beyond cute to make things interesting without getting overly heavy. All of which suits the breezy, jazzy air of the album. The dozen songs each have a whiff of a bygone era hovering somewhere between the 1930s and the 60s, without being too derivative of any time or genre. So we get a bit of Mancini-esque cool on the opening Art Class, a touch of twangy longing on Somehow, a slightly Eastern European edge to Your Fool and an old tyme rollick from the title track. It all adds up to a special sound, much of the credit for which should be shared with guitarist Nathan Hiltz who is the main instrumental support and negotiates the shifts in style with taste and personality that never overwhelms. The rhythm section is ably rounded out by Ernesto Cervini on drums and Ross MacIntyre on bass. Lauren’s CD release event is March 1 at The Rex in Toronto. Check melissalaurenmusic.ca for details. - WholeNote Magazine

“I won’t rest until I am my best for you.” The Toronto chanteuse can now put up her feet – she’s lovely with her strummy and breezy elegance, which seems absolutely good to us. - The Globe and Mail

Your Mess
Melissa Lauren
Independent ML2015 (melissalaurenmusic.ca)

Melissa Lauren is a prolific young songwriter and she has released her second album of (mostly) original songs in three years. Lauren collaborated on songwriting and production for Your Mess with Toronto bassist Mark Cashion. The album is about the chaos and heartbreak of life as we stumble our way through and despite such relatively serious themes the songs are mostly upbeat and playful.

The album opens with two songs – Room is Too Small and Walk Behind Me – that have an air of the 50s and 60s about them as Lauren adds a bit of gutsiness to her delicate, pretty voice. The title track is given a sort of New Orleans style with swampy effect courtesy of guitarist Eric St-Laurent and Sly Juhas on drums. The album is sparingly produced with guitar, bass and drums in various combinations being the main accompaniment, but guitarist Nathan Hiltz breaks out the uke and gets strummy for the bouncy Houses which is all about being content with your current situation and which suits Lauren's voice to a T. There is a sprinkling of covers on Your Mess and the band's gorgeous slowed-down take on the Police tune Every Little Thing He Does is Magic is a highlight -

Melissa Lauren can sing. And write. And she takes gorgeous risks, turning notes inside-out without ever landing flat or straining. On The Other Side, we hear nearly all originals, and Melissa's voice rings with intelligence. It's never forced or coy, like so many vocal albums today. Instead, she has a girlish modern sound, and her melodies and lyrics are engaging and meaningful. Sample Art Class, Wrapped Around My Finger and Senses. Think Stacey Kent and Kat Edmonson. And as a songwriter, she's a winner. An album for fans of female vocalists who have all the Songbook stuff they will ever need and are looking for something exquisite and dynamic. - jazzwax