We’re a little curious why kayln rock doesn’t capitalize her name, but it might be one of those situations where it’s better not to ask. For one thing, it would mean time away from listening to her sing.

The Hudson, N.Y., native has one of those voices that is at once brave and a little trembly, as if she’s making a concerted effort to keep rein over deep emotions long enough to make her point. It results in an wistful evocation of longing on “Alex the Great,” the free song from rock’s forthcoming debut, “Passenger.” It’s a fingerpicked folk song at heart, dressed up with a catchy pop arrangement by producer Josh Cohen (Guster, Golden Bloom) while rock’s liquid voice brims with ideas about the kind of love she’s looking for.

It’s the first track on “Passenger,” and probably one of the songs that has earned rock comparisons to the likes of Sharon Van Etten and Florence and the Machine. We don’t think she sounds all that much like either — hers is a voice all its own — but if those are names that will get you to listen, then yeah, dead ringer. Rock releases “Passenger” herself next Tuesday, Jan. 10.

Photo by Reid Elem

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Alex the Great mp3

January 4, 2012 at 10:37 am | Share |