Anna Baldree is a Chattanooga, USA-based singer songwriter who took up music with gusto during the 2020 lockdown. A string of live performances led to her beginning to record her debut album in August last year. Now, here we are just over a year later with the results. It’s called Because of the Rain.
By Graeme Smith
Feature photo by Reed Schick
As you might guess from its title, Because of the Rain is a melancholic album. Anna has taken the feeling of isolation caused by lockdown, mixed it with reflections on love and loss, and viewed it all through the lens of pop culture references to create this collection.
Musically, it’s rock, but at the soft, sad end of the spectrum. Though guitar driven, there are pop and folk undertones too. Think an American Beabadobee or a rockier Phoebe Bridgers and you’re close but not quite there. The album kicks off with Homesick which starts pensive but grows into a cathartic climax. It’s a perfect example of what’s to come.
Final Girl is quieter and more introspective. It speaks of unrequited love and is utterly heart-breaking. Disappear, by contrast, is lively and quirky. The vibe is ’90s grunge but the lyrics speak of 2020s societal fatigue. The first half of the album is then rounded of by previously-released single Tarantino. Combining upbeat pop rock with cynical storytelling, it’s a perfect centre piece for this album.
The album’s second half treats us to the nihilistically nostalgic Long Sleeves, the delicately acoustic April, and the gentle ode to escapism Puerto Edén. The album is then rounded off by Try Again. Another previously released single, it closes things in an expansive, barnstorming style.
Because of the Rain is beautiful slice of modern storytelling. Anna has put plenty of herself into it while also keeping the emotion relatable and universal. We don’t have much to thank coronavirus for, but prompting her to throw herself into her music is at least one thing. Anna has a sound that should serve her well, and this debut is such a thoughtful album. I can’t wait to hear more from her.
You can listen to the whole album below.
