Kate Brown released her new EP, Water From Ashes, this July. The country-folk singer delivers highly emotional and relatable work on this record.
Kate Brown released her new EP, Water From Ashes, on July 8. This country-folk performer began her singing/songwriting career at a young age. The Iowa-born Brown comes from a line of female musicians. Though she seriously pursued acting for a number of years, music eventually won out and has been her primary focus ever since. Her band mate, Tony Sancho, shares this combined love of acting and music – though he channels his creativity primarily through drumming. The duo produced a solid six-tracks of openhearted folk in Water From Ashes.
Water From Ashes opens with deep and gritty vocals in “Cartwheel.” Unabashed emotion and direct intention mark this tune. On occasion, Brown’s voice goes places that are slightly uncomfortable – but effective in portraying the intensity of feeling she describes. It is as though Brown is wringing herself out on stage.
“Damned Ol Jesus” comes second on Water From Ashes. This solemn and somewhat sorrowful tune rings of heartbreak. With a retrospective sense about it, “Damned Ol Jesus” feels like looking back with regret. Simple instrumentation effectively heightens the sense of this song.
“6 Shots” showcases exceptional string work, which increases the track’s intensity. At the other end of the spectrum, “Troubled Man” is gentle and flowing. However, both tracks lack the spark found elsewhere on this record. Here, Brown walks a line between talking on pitch and singing in a way that does not translate in recording. Though both songs have a couple good moments, the rest of Water From Ashes outshines them.
Kate Brown regains her stride
Brown hits her stride again in “Come On.” An aching tune, Brown’s voice is at its best here – biting and raw, full and impactful. This relatable song will evoke mixed memories for listeners. Finally, “Weepin” closes out the album beautifully. This song is strong, evocative and well executed. Brown and Sancho both demonstrate the depth of their skill in this track. “Weepin” is a powerful ending to Water From Ashes.
Brown turned in a solid effort on Water From Ashes. It seems clear that she is both technically strong and willing to bring raw emotion into her work. Listeners are left to wonder if her performance is perhaps more effective live. However, this album managed to bridge the recording gap on the majority of tracks. This will not be the last audiences hear of Kate Brown.