Review:

on 2011-10-07 iamparadox Said:

We live in such a fast paced world that sometimes it's difficult to keep up. This is an unprecedented time when both the amount of data and how we receive it are swiftly changing. In a recent interview, Alan Palomo of Neon Indian referred to this as the Internet culture, and mentioned the fact that we are discovering both old and new music at the same time. I said all of that to say this: there is so much music out there! So I have known that Sarah Jaffe is an emerging artist from the North Texas area of Denton (along with Neon Indian), one of the best scenes around according to Paste Magazine. I have known about her, watched a partial live performance, and even listened to a few songs. However, it wasn't until a friend passed me a copy of her newest release that I realized how brilliant of a shining gem she truly is.

According to the press release, Sarah became one of the most talked about artists of 2010 following the release of her debut album Suburban Nature. She earned accolades from NPR, NY Times, Wall Street Journal--in addition to landing on numerous year-end best of lists. This new release, The Way Sound Leaves A Room, is a CD/DVD combo that looks both back and forward into her music. It includes cover songs as well as experimental home recordings of new songs. The DVD portion (not reviewed here) includes stunning live concert performance and behind the scenes footage.

Knowing that Jaffe was a singer/songwriter from Denton, imagine my surprise when hearing the first song by hip-hop artist Drake! The record begins with a cover of one of my favorite songs, "Shut It Down". You may recall that it originally included a collaboration with The-Dream. This gives both fans and newcomers alike a glimpse of her great pipes. Immediately her voice grabs your attention and entices you to listen. Her unplugged version of this R&B song is stunning to say the least. She belts out over the slow pulse of piano:

"say baby I had to mention
that if you were a star youd be the one Im searching for
all the girls they got attention
but I just always feel like they're in need of something you go
put those fucking heels on and work it girl
let that mirror show you what you're doing
put that fucking dress on and work it kind of vicious"

She then follows that up with "Louder Than Ever", another cover song, this time from Cold War Kids. Sometimes less is more, and Sarah again proves that with this stripped down version. While I treasure originality as much as anyone, sometimes the best way to be creative isn't re-inventing the wheel. Cover songs are one of the best ways for new artists to get recognition. She has a knack for selecting the right ones, her success setting her apart from her North Texas peers.
You may already be acquainted with this popular song:

"I was sitting round like a zombie feeding my own face
I was digging my strange
I was taken you for granted
Cause I can hear you louder than ever"

Ms. Jaffe then leads us into somewhat familiar territory with alternative versions of her already well known singles like "Clementine" and "Better Than Nothing", both from her first full length Suburban Nature. Here her most well known song trades guitar for piano in for a lovely, yet haunting sound. The chorus seems to summarize the entire record: "I changed my mind, now I'm feeling different". "Better Than Nothing" on the other hand transforms into an instrumental without vocals.

Next up is the title track "The Way Sound Leaves A Room". It gives yet another glimpse of her immense talent, choke full of emotion and leaving the listener in chills. "When You Rest", a previously unreleased single, makes its album debut here. She has played this song live earlier this year, and placing it on this record is a good move. "A Sucker For Your Marketing", is a new single. Both a challenge and change, the young artist can seem to do no wrong. It then finally concludes with "All That Time". Like the other songs here, it also has a mellow, melodic vibe.

This EP was a great idea, it sounds like a deliberate decision to for Sarah to step out and spread her wings. It serves to both satisfy the palate of previous fans while creating an appetite in those who don't yet know her. While only clocking in at 22:31, virtually every second is flawless and worth listening to. Conceived as a transition in between her last full length and the next one scheduled for 2012, it proves she is more than a one hit wonder and won't succumb to a sophomore slump.
Rating: 7/10