From the first time I clicked play on a track from Ali Wick, I found myself drawn to a quality voice and a strong sense of melody. Then I was struck with the question of genre… is this pop? A little. Is it jazz? At times. Is it passionate storytelling? Yes! So I guess we could call Ali Wick an artist with many different sides and flavors, for a final product that has solid production, a great vocal, and an adventure that you should just enjoy. Listen with open ears and an open heart… you’ll find a lot to like.
The opening track “Return to Sender” carries a fair bit of weight right from the start. Beneath the quality vocal and the steady beat there’s a solid piano propelling the energy of the song. The lyrical concept is about trying to get into the head of a potential partner, trying to figure out if they envision you together as well. It definitely resonates for those uncertain moments in a relationship.
The jazzy element shows its head evidently on “Falling for Falling.” The line, “you might be the right one, but this is the wrong time” is such an amazing lyric that captures a genuine life sentiment. I even appreciate the throwback style of the background singers here. You can tell the folks producing this album did not pull any punches; it feels like it was destined to be a hit record in the mid-20th century. Ultimately it’s a song about habitually falling in love and how this one, this time… ain’t it.
“Just a Handful” is my favorite on this album by far. Something about the tenderness on it reminds me of artists I’ve loved over the years. The “girl and her piano” style feels approachable and warm here. The phrasing is beautiful. The key lyric is about how people are so quick to write people off as being “a handful” as in too much, overbearing, etc. It’s a soft, expressive track that wins me over anew with each listen. If you’ve ever experienced the crumbling of a relationship, this one might be too real.
The following, “My Next Love” has distinctive jazz vibes and some excellent bass work. The phrasing on this one feels like it’s ripe for the pop airwaves. Fans of artists like Rachel Price (Lake Street Dive) or the meteoric-rising New York band Lawrence will find a lot to like about this one. It’s lyrically about bouncing from one painful love to the “next” love, with a tongue-in-cheek hopefulness that the next one won’t be like the last one. It’s relatable and charming, inviting listeners of all walks of life to connect with these timeless and all-too-familiar emotions.
The penultimate track “Easy It’s Smooth” has a bit of Motown/Stax in it, with a fancy pop production. It just feels like a hit. Fans of artists like Anderson .Paak and Silk Sonic should definitely check out this track. The hat tip to Jack Johnson feels like it’s almost tailormade for music fans of a particular age. It’s a cool groovy tune with a sing-along chorus. If there was justice in this world, this is the kind of song that would shoot up the top 40 pop list. I dig the way the soulful influences, the groove, and the quality of the vocal all blend together for an enjoyable, toe-tapping style.
The last track “Can’t Pack a Memory” slows it down like “Just a Handful,” with a focus on acoustic guitar and some delightful atmospheric influences. The production layers make it feel comfortable and cozy. It’s a song ultimately about moving away, but also about how you can’t take memories with you. The lyrics about “it doesn’t rain where I’m going” seems like a metaphor about pain (maybe crying?), but no matter the hidden meaning the song definitely connects. If you’ve moved around in your life and had that experience of new beginnings, this song is powerful.
If you can’t tell by now, I really enjoy this album. Ali Wick has a real talent for songwriting in a way that feels relatable and timeless. I also really appreciate that each track has high quality production that serves to highlight the mood of the track without washing out the vocal. It might seem like high praise to mention the likes of Rachel Price and Anderson .Paak in the same review, but trust me when I say Ali Wick deserves to be in that company. At very least, I’d love to see “Easy It’s Smooth” chart… and I know that “Just a Handful” will be on my personal playlists for years to come. This album is a gem.
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