Guest Blogger: Amy C1

With society’s outstanding preference for catchy electronic beats and digitally altered voices, it has been difficult to find an artist who emits true talent through his/her unique voice and original musical compositions. However, I have found that Sara Bareilles, an artist from Eureka, California, is one of these few artists.
Returning with her new album Kaleidoscope Heart, Sara Bareilles incorporates her own style of funk into the pop genre. Though classified in the general genre of pop, the songs in her album each have their own unique feel. Her songs range from genres such as jazz, acoustic and acapella. Through her wide range of genres, Sara Bareilles induces a spectrum of emotions. Her sassy lyrics and upbeat tempo in songs such as “Gonna Get Over You” and “King of Anything”, instill fierce resilience and strength. Other songs such as “Bluebird” and “Kaleidoscope Heart” produce the emotions of solemnity and solitude, as her powerful voice accompanies the soft notes of the piano. Sara Bareilles’s music is similar to that of artists such as Colbie Caillat and Ingrid Michaelson, as all three of these artists sing about circumstances regarding love and sentimental moments in their lives. However opposed to these singers, Sara Bareilles is more defiant and tongue-in-cheek. Songs such as “Say You’re Sorry” reveal that she is not afraid to speak her mind and follow through with her actions. One particular song that I especially like is “Let The Rain.” In “Let The Rain”, Bareilles describes that, despite her insecurities and problems, all she needs is the rain to refresh her mood. She sings, “And I always felt it before, that the world was filled with much more than the drowning soul I’ve learned to be, I just, need the rain to remind me.” I absolutely agree with the critics’ positive critique of Kaleidoscope Heart. Sara Bareilles’s music conveys her distinct personality and because she does so in such a variety of compositions, her music is powerful and enticing. Sara Bareilles’s music is absolutely worth the time and money. If one were to preview her albums prior to Kaleidoscope Heart, one will discover that her vocals have tremendously improved and that she has become even more musically versatile. Her ability to compose such amazing music is only one of the numerous reasons of why I like her.