Carriesa, an acclaimed R&B/Soul Artist based in Houston, TX, hasn’t been afraid to show her vulnerable side, allowing her humor, soul, and passion to shine forth. Her new EP, Blue Diaries, is something all of us can relate to. A mix of dread, excitement and reluctance can all be facets of wanting to experience love in all its ways.
The EP starts off smoothly with a mix of chorus-style vocals and rap flows from the singer and the featured artists. “Vibe” is set up perfectly for angelic voices to dominate the track where Carriesa gives into her impulses over tinkling piano keys and a simple drum beat, making sure her voice is center stage.
“You’re Perfect (Interlude)” hums along to an easy, laid-back tempo, favoring soft, hazy harmonies and layered guitars to lean more on bluesy sounds. As a production, it’s pretty difficult to resist; it’s as supple and comforting as a favorite pillow. The sound is so alluring, it’s easy to overlook how many songs being released nowadays simply glide by without ever quite catching hold. Maybe that’s due to how Carriesa’s touch is so good it’s nearly irresistible.
But this vocal power puts Carriesa squarely at the center of Blue Diaries, even when the songs on the EP bear her distinct, careful imprint. She has a pleasant, amiable voice and paired with its harmonies, is a mere element in the warm, enveloping production of “Wasting My Time (Remix).” It’s a record that gets by on feel, which may mean that it doesn’t provide a distinguishing hook, but it does sound amazingly good as it plays.
The closer, “Dear God” adds the needed texture on the EP as it deepens with emotional undercurrents that flow throughout the record. When Carriesa combines her ethereal vocals with the smooth and subtle production, the tune paints a portrait of a mighty artist who has been through a lot but proves fearless when it comes to matters of the soul. This EP gives listeners a chance to empathize with what they hear, realizing some things don’t need to be over-complicated.
