Zee Avi’s music makes me want to be on a beach. Right now. Seriously. I’m now furiously scrolling through the travel section of Pinterest, trying to envision myself on these amazing beaches. Her music is that relaxing and persuasive, which is probably why it got a satisfying 4.5-star fan rating on iTunes.
On the 25-year-old Malaysian singer/songwriter/guitarist/ukulele player’s newest album, “ghostbird,” released on Aug. 23, 2011, she offers up another soothingly folk-pop set of songs. This album is the follow-up to Avi’s 2009 self-titled debut album, which still holds a five-star rating on iTunes. Avi is a true YouTube phenom, who just four years ago posted a video which ended up being praised by strangers for showcasing her effortless singing ability. Her music was quickly passed on to respected music video director Emmett Malloy, who then signed her to Brushfire Records. (Fun fact: Brushfire Records is partly owned by popular folk-rocker Jack Johnson.)
The first couple of songs are the epitome of tranquility, as ukulele and guitar chords are softly strummed behind Avi’s voice which floats along with the beat. A few bongo-sounding drums are even infused in songs such as “Milestone Moon.” The most popular of Avi’s songs on iTunes, “Concrete Wall,” is also the most innovative track on the album. Avi’s own voice supplies the song’s background beat, creating an almost slow-motion hippie version of beat boxing. Her vocals range from high to low with great ease as she sings lyrics describing a lover’s fight. The song is refreshing because Avi reflects perfectly on how frustrating fighting with your man can be, with lyrics like “You say that I need therapy/ Well, my darling, so do you/ Don’t need for you to tell me/ What is wrong in all I say or do.” But, all the while, this tense scene is set against a laidback, mellow beat. The kind of palm-trees-swaying-in-the-breeze beat that would be the last thing on your mind if you were fighting with your boy toy, with the possibility that a shoe could be thrown “right through that concrete wall.” Clever.
“Roll Your Head in the Sun,” is also a chill song that has a very Bob Marley-feel to it. A very girly Bob Marley, that is. I suggest this song be served with a heavy dose of sun. Relaxation will soon follow. Come to think of it, that is exactly what I’m going to do when this bipolar Fairfax weather lightens up, and we get some constant spring. I’m going to grab some tanning oil and some Zee Avi.
Another solid track on the album is the opening song, “Swell Window,” which is all about riding the waves and relating it to waiting for your special person.
One thing I don’t like about Zee Avi’s music is that it makes me realize how very excruciatingly pale I am. She just had a concert at Rams Head On Stage in Annapolis, Md., this past Saturday. The rest of her tour dates are up on her site zeeavi.com. I’m just going to assume that everyone walked out of there with flower leis around their necks and thoughts of bikinis dancing in their heads.
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