The Apricot Hounds – Chapter One (Album Review)

The Apricot Hounds truly excel in the compelling “Chapter One.”

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TOP 5

5. These Days

The instrumentation that drives “These Days” exudes lively, welcoming, and spry vibes, inviting listeners to indulge in some frolicking with the song.

I adore every aspect of Agne and Adam’s performances on “These Days.” Their exceptional chemistry stands out, complemented by heartwarming lyrics and confident, robust singing that exudes fearlessness. The authenticity in their voices suggests a genuine experience of profound love in their lives.

4. Give Our Love A Chance

“Give Our Love A Chance” is chilling. The moment I pressed play on the song, I felt goosebumps.

“Give Our Love A Chance” showcases a subdued instrumental and intoxicating vocals. To delve into specifics, the song encompasses a somber violin melody, numbing guitar play, candid lyrics delving into heartbreak, and a vocal performance that aptly captures the sound of someone who is broken and dispirited.

3. Melody

“Melody” features a kick-ass Latin rock instrumental with a hint of country vibes. As a listener, you’ll likely be shaking your tailfeather and doing your best salsa dance to its infectiousness.

Agne shines on “Melody,” portraying a disheveled yet music-loving individual who uses singing as a means to overcome pain and sorrow. Her performance on the song brings to mind the evocative nightclub performances of Hadda Brooks from back in the day.

If “Melody” doesn’t strike a chord with you, I don’t know what will…

2. Move To The Left

Is there a better way to start an album?

The energy attached to “Move To The Left” is remarkable. Firstly, the production is a standout, featuring exceptional violin play, impactful drumming, and electrifying guitar work. Against this backdrop, the two lead singers of The Apricot Hounds, Agne and Adam, unleash their vocals, singing proudly about celebrating each other, savoring life, and embracing a dance that is both figuratively and literally simple enough to learn.

1. Loving Regrets

“Loving Regrets” is absolutely captivating. Above all, the song showcases a potent instrumental that seamlessly blends elements of trip-hop, a dash of country, a touch of rock, and a generous infusion of bluesiness.

As for the lead singer on “Loving Regrets” (Agne), she passionately sings about her loving regrets, embraceable troubles, and inescapable heartaches in the song. What stands out in her performance is that each word succeeds in tugging at your soul, as if it were part of a tug-of-war.

SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN

1. 99.1 PERCENT (N/A)

2. MOVE TO THE LEFT (4.5/5)

3. CARTEL QUEEN (4.5/5)

4. MELODY (5/5)

5. THESE DAYS (5/5)

6. BABY (4/5)

7. HIGH (4/5)

8. MYSELF TALKING TO MYSELF ABOUT MYSELF (N/A)

9. LOVING REGRETS (5/5)

10. GIVE OUR LOVE A CHANCE (5/5)

11. DOWN BY THE RIVER (4/5)

12. FEELING FOREVER NOW (4.5/5)

13. HOME (4/5)

14. HIGH (ACOUSTIC) (4/5)

OVERALL RATING

(B+)

What sets The Apricot Hounds apart as an extraordinary act? Firstly, their masterful fusion of folk music with genres like trip-hop and authentic rock is remarkable. The band excels at creating powerful, immersive, and enchanting music. In Chapter One, The Apricot Hounds deliver a masterpiece that not only captivates but also nurtures with a touch as soft as a hotel pillow.

The vocal performances, lyrics, and instrumentals in Chapter One are all exceptional. In my opinion, every song featuring Agne and Adam is characterized by fearless vocals and candid lyrics. The new member, Lara Luu (check her YouTube channel HERE), adeptly covers Agne’s performances in the band’s live shows. The instrumentals on each track offer wild twists and turns, cinematic vibes, and pure creativity. In short, “Chapter One” is packed with action.

Kudos to Agne (Vocals), Adam (Vocals and Guitar), Vaughan (Violin), and Sheldon (Drums) for creating an album in Chapter One that is multi-faceted, relatable, passionate, unshielded, untamed, and heartwarming (By the way, Chapter One is meant to be listened to from start to finish. “99.1 Percent” (The intro track) features the sounds of a needle dropping on a vinyl record, while “High” (Acoustic) (The Outro track) incorporates the sounds of a skipping vinyl).