I would be surprised if this album was not a huge success, as there just isn’t much not to like here. Yuna’s throaty and breathless singing style reminds the listener of Leslie Feist and is effectively showcased by simple but moving instrumentals. As a lyricist, Yuna proves a pleasant paradox: in some moments she’s a young woman, expressing an adolescent wanderlust in “Planes,” then suddenly expresses deep maturity, singing about the symbolism of everyday items in “Decorate,” or the fleeting nature of physical beauty in “Fading Flower.” The band supporting Yuna does an excellent job of showcasing her talent, while playing with a number of different styles and genres.
Yuna has a lyrical theme that centers on the idea of the spiritual value of experience and memories expressed through a variety of musical backdrops. The album begins with the track “Lullabies,” introducing a drum beat that channels Massive Attack’s “Tear Drop” (the theme song for the show House for you youngsters out there) and slowly blends in simple piano chords and nostalgic lyrics about a lost first love. “Remember My Name,” has a playful, gospel feel, using only acoustic guitar, clapping and Yuna’s vocals for half the song. The band plays with other genres as well, bringing in an island sound to “Bad Idea,” and an urban sounding and almost Motown feel in “Live Your Life.” The net effect of the album is a simple message cleverly wrapped in a number of musical styles.
This album’s worth it, particularly if you’re a fan of the female singer/songwriter genre and even if you’re not. Yuna has a youthful feel and a meaningful message that penetrates much deeper than the narcissism of so many songs by young artists. I’m sure we’ll see plenty more of this young lady in the future.
