Paris Wells - VariousSmall Fires

Thu 21st Oct, 2010 in Music Reviews

“You’ve got love, you’ve got joy; and you’ve got ten fingers on that beautiful boy!” – Grace Baby

A large fraction of couch potatoes would recognise and instantly associate this soulful tune as Myer’s 2009 television advertising campaign soundtrack. Yet most would struggle to name the talented singer behind the Jennifer Hawkins saturated screen. And that’s quite sad, because the girl can sing!

After two years of touring and opening for the likes of Justin Timberlake, Melbourne songstress Paris Wells built her own studio and recorded Various Small Fires; a predominately vocal focused album showcasing Wells’ sassy, consistently on key, powerhouse voice. It’s the complex yet pitch-perfect kind that auto tune-reliant singers lie awake at night wishing for.

Even more impressive, the multifaceted sophomore album doesn’t just stick to clean pop, but shows depth; infusing soul and jazz melodies with funk, cabaret electro, alternative pop and even reggae rhythms as heard in Mess Mr.

Although the majority of tracks are studio polished, Wells included the intimately raw jam Let it Out Jacob; a lo-fi track capturing the frustration caused by a man failing to return phone calls. It’s apparent her quirky, emotional delivery is the draw card to this album.

The piano-driven heartbreaker Various Small Fires highlights Well’s ability to connect her voice with aptly written lyrics. And while Believe in Me may lift spirits via happy fairy floss beats, the shades of blue felt in the potentially lucrative ballad Let’s Go Home are so moving that it sounds incredibly fitting for a television drama’s teaser commercial.

So whether there’s a television soundtrack return for Wells or not, Various Small Fires ticks all the right boxes for commercial success if marketed right. It’s raunchy with just enough attitude in those belting notes and breathy vocals.