New York, USA-based artist Angela Sclafani first caught my attention in November last year through her groovy pop track Inside Out. The song features on her first full-length album, which runs the gamut between Americana and pop. It’s called Songs of Other Selves.
By Graeme Smith
Feature photo by Jules Miranda – @julesandfilm
The theme of the album is an exploration of past personas and the concept of the inner self, as it pertains to Angela’s life. As such there’s a sense of nostalgia running through each track, as well as unease coming from looking back at past trauma and the rocky road to healing.
The story starts with I’m in My Old Room. It opens with a pensive piano melody and Angela’s unmistakable vocals. The lyrics don’t hold back and feel deeply theatrical – a nod to the fact that Angela is also a theatre-maker (she’s even been named a 2022 Woman to Watch on Broadway).
The aforementioned Inside Out comes next. Compared to the introspective I’m in My Old Room it’s lively and funky. It’s one that will instantly get you moving, and sits nicely here in the early running. I’d Fall then gives us the delicately acoustic side of Angela’s sound in the form of a heart-breaking ballad.
How We Meet livens things up against with honky-tonk style Americana in the vein of Dolly Parton or Courtney Marie Andrews. It’s a highlight. Disappearing Act is a bittersweet pop ballad before Getting Married (I Do) rounds off the middle of the album with a fresh take on the concept of matrimony.
By Their Standards is a vibrant, Paul Simon-reminiscent, piece of folk rock that gives the album some late-stage punch. For Me then closes the story with a bright and uplifting tone. It’s a song of self-affirmation delivered through jumpy indie pop and a big finish.
With Songs of Other Selves, Angela has really put herself out there, and I couldn’t help but ruminate on my own former selves while listening. As such, it’s proven to be such a relatable collection. Angela’s words and her characterful vocals are utterly captivating and I’m not sure I’ll ever get bored of listening to them. I hope you’ll feel the same.
Songs of Other Selves was mixed by Katie Buchanan, mastered by Jay Ferguson and is released via Pitch & Prose. You can check out the whole of album below.