The path to releasing the new album ‘How Does It Feel’ was certainly not the easiest course for one of Nashville’s emerging artists, pop-folk singer Zoë Nutt but the hard work and determination shines through.
Zoë has struggled with hearing loss from a young age. Now 27 years old, she wrote and recorded her new album in the wake of a cochlear implant surgery intended to save her from complete and total deafness.
While in the studio, Zoë needed to hit pause on the recording process to have surgery. Over the course of the next 12 months following her cochlear implant surgery, Zoë retaught herself how to hear, all while continuing to write this standout project. Despite this unspeakable hardship for a young creative with her entire career in front of her, Zoë persevered.
The album was produced by celebrated songwriter Tammi Kidd Hutton (LeAnn Rimes, Rascal Flatts) along with Ben Phillips (Chris Janson) and Greg Magers (Umphrey’s McGee, Lupe Fiasco), the album was created over a two-year period of losing her hearing as an adult and reteaching herself to hear.
One of the standout tracks and singles from the album is the song ‘Happy’. As soon as this song started a smile immediately came across my face. The sound was wide and warm. The hand claps follow the nicely mixed, deep snare into the verse before they pause until the chorus and slightly forge their own path. Sounds like a lot of words for something like a hand clap, yes, but those are the little things that make my ears start to fall in love with a track. Her voice pulled me all the way in.
When we are treated to Zoë’s vocal tone, that is one part pop, one part bluesy and two parts southern, I feel like I’m hearing something very unique. The end result is a voice that sits perfectly on top of the well produced and mixed sound.
And then that chorus.
The song gets even wider as the harmony vocals spread left and right and a double tracked lead, that is as inviting as it is soothing.
As you listen to this song try not to get too lost in any one area as there is a lot going on behind the scenes. Tambo’s, a single-note – guitar strike and lush staccato guitars that are subtle but in my opinion essential to the song. Piano, horns.. this song has it all.
And then that bridge.
Anyone that knows me, reads articles on this site or watches my YouTube series on Harry Styles knows that I am crazy enough to keep lists for just about everything. I have a small list of my favorite bridges. Why do I tell you this, dear readers? Because this bridge is the newest edition to that list. Holy smokes, whatever you do – do not miss this bridge. It’s short but takes off for flight and holds there as it becomes a bridge/chorus combo. I absolutely love what they did here. And just for good measure they outro with it and I feel complete.
I’m enjoying her vibe and look forward to watch as Zoë continues to soar.
-Tommy Marz
You can follow Tommy on Twitter and Instagram let him know what you think.
For More On Zoë Nutt, Visit:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER |