ESTELLE CALIFORNIA
My Name Is Freedom
By Mike O’Cull www.mikeocull.com
Estelle California weaves a tapestry of black velvet on her new EP My Name Is Freedom. A singer-songwriter in the Nina Simone mode, she puts down a melodic, meaningful, and socially relevant contemporary R&B sound that’s equal parts intelligence and beauty. Originally from France, Estelle now works out of The Golden State but makes music with an international flavor and a global vision. Her vocals are intimate and confessional in your headphones and will make you feel like an audience of one. She brings messages of hope and empowerment to her fans and believes in the power of artists to make our world a better place.
The record begins with “Star,” a deeply-grooving late-night jam about getting revenge for the powerless. Estelle’s convictions lift her above the typical love-gone-wrong topics most pop and R&B artists can’t seem to let go of and give her a visceral appeal that modern fluff can’t compete with. Her vocals fly high and her lyrics speak an individual truth that’s undeniable. She follows up with “Who Are You,” a funky meditation on the quest for spiritual identity. Her lyrics deal out life-changing ideas while her band locks down a big pocket beneath her.
“Black Is The True Light” is Estelle’s epic love song to the color and cultural aesthetic that has defined her life and perspective. It’s an incredibly powerful track that uses a strong mid-tempo feel that does much to underscore her vocals and beliefs. It comes across as the centerpiece of the EP and shouldn’t be missed by anyone seeking heartfelt social commentary in a musical setting. Every bit of My Name Is Freedom is worth your listening time and shows Estelle California to be a star on the rise. Become one with this record and let Estelle’s magic into your life.
LISTEN ON SPOTIFY:
https://open.spotify.com/album/3qjd6AdW4adhktEV34ZQEq?si=iHqG4LcdRxOQIwfXsioIFQ
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: