Meeting through a Craigslist ad, Suzie Zeldin on vocals and keys and Jesse Gabriel on vocals and guitar joined forces to create The Narrative. Now based in Nashville, the duo has attacked 2024 with their first release of the year, a three song EP titled New Anxieties.
Approaching the recording process with more digitised ears that includes loops and drumming, New Anxieties” features three songs that not only show their signature infectiousness and heartfelt lyrics, but a sound that is both familiar and new.
While the title track feels like an ending summer sun drenched day, the lyrics betray the golden mood with thoughts and feelings that simmer with heartbreaking emotion. There’s a softness to the song and to the vocals that offer an intimate look at a tortured heart and mind.
“On the Ride” feels as if it’s on a big bold beautiful wave that surfs through each vocal layering and beats with effortless ease and grace.
On the closing track, “Crushed”, Suzie says,
“The song is about creating an idealised version of a person in your mind and trying to figure out if you’re seeing what you want to see, or if you’re seeing things as they are. I wrote it during a time when I was exploring my own thought patterns and expectations of the people in my life, and what was fair to ask of them in response to my own needs. I think there are times when we’re all guilty of wanting someone to be the simple answer to a complex problem, even though deep down we know that the solution lies within ourselves.”
The song perhaps showcases The Narrative’s efforts of modern recording and old school recording the best. “Crushed” has lush loops, provocative beats, reflective lyrics, and just the right amount of catchiness that one is singing they lyrics or humming the beat all day.
New Anxieties is velvety rich in bright beats, catchy melodies, infectious loops, and leaves one wanting more from The Narrative.
