An emotionally revealing album of eclectic songs from Camille Schmidt, a talented diverse singer songwriter from Brooklyn.
Release Date: 10th January 10th 2025
Label: Six Castle Road
Format: Digital
XOXO
Camille’s natural sweet, delicate vocals need no enhancement. However, she dabbles with a light touch of synthesiser and distortion by voice processing for the enchanting XOXO where she displays her foibles in her past, present and future.
Nic is accompanied by the most minimal accompaniments bring her untampered whispy vocals to the fore. The sound is simplicity in itself but the emotions are strong and heartfelt. The versatility of these vocal skills on the more upbeat Cult In Denver as the guitar stomps a regular beat and subtle back riff. Again, relationships are central to the song writing when she asks, “How can anyone be like you are to me?”
A COSMIC FEEL
Punky rhythms and riffs with fuzzy guitar drive Stanley. Schmidt races along as if confused and looking for the way. Lyrically, there is a masterful use of words. There’s humour too, with clever phrasing and tone changes in Fish Pills. Wary of false advice as she choses the correct way forward.
There’s some deep thinking and openness in all she accomplishes as she reveals; “I thought, what if I stop trying to get good with myself? With anyone else? What if I just reflect the truth of what I’ve seen? What if I just say what happened?”
There’s a cosmic feel in Proton, Electron , Photon. This is the briefest of tracks but exudes so much lyrically and instrumentally. After the on the shuffling Blood Love and Blessing there’s a splendid blend of voice processing and her untouched voice on Back Porch where she reminisces and is inspired by sights seen as a child when she would sit at the kitchen table with the models who posed nude in her parents’ art studio.
FOLK ROCK?
Initially Camille had a reputation for leaning towards the folk-rock genre but by enlisting Eli Heath on bass, sound sculpting from Michael Haldeman, additional guitar from Sam Acchione and extra percussion from Kane Ritchotte and W. Alexander, there has been some development in sound.
Heaven expresses an optimistic life view, with another change in percussive style too. Ticky tacky beats and a repetitive mellow guitar riff are tempered with the even softer vocals.
All the songs are immersed in life experiences of all kinds but as Schmidt says; “A lot of these songs were written completely as a stream of consciousness.” You can understand why there is a feeling of spontaneity.
The whole album is a wonderful collection of contrasts but there are amazing differences between all parts of this final song Daddy Long Legs; calmness, mayhem, control and wildness make this there perfect way to end a thoughtfully produced passionate album of music.
Camille Schmidt: Instagram
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