REVIEW: Rachel DeeLynn — Can You Hear Me Now? (SINGLE)
Nashville, Tennessee-based singer/songwriter Rachel DeeLynn is a Berklee College of Music graduate, a longtime trained musician, and a likely budding star because of her new single. “Can You Hear Me Now?”, a track DeeLynn undoubtedly intends to highlight on her forthcoming debut EP, is an outstanding early song for announcing herself to a global audience as it boasts across-the-board appeal that won’t restrict its audience. Pop fans of nearly every conceivable type, rock and hard rock fans, will welcome DeeLynn’s “Can You Hear Me Now?” as a potent example of presenting the personal in a near anthemic fashion.
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It doesn’t play around. “Can You Hear Me Now?” is confrontational without ever sounding abrasive thanks to the tight and focused playing of its musicians. It storms out of its corner engaging listeners immediately; the drumming is perfect for such a beginning. Chris Rayner’s mastery of the song’s fluctuating tempo is a key factor in its success and never threatens to overpower the guitars. Tyler Skye and Mason Davis’ guitar work veers from ornamental touches during the verses into competing passages where the duo riff and thrash with powerhouse energy.
It covers a surprising amount of ground in a short amount of time. “Can You Hear Me Now?” doesn’t break the three-minute threshold, so anyone expecting guitar solos will be sorely disappointed. The shifting energy of the performance means that it never follows a single path for long, and its changes can be a little dizzying, but the effect is intentional. Rachel DeeLynn wants to overwhelm you, without losing you.
Many emotions are percolating within the single. However, it is ultimately a testament of self-empowerment that refutes heartache. The anonymous “you” of DeeLynn’s lyrics has harmed her, it’s the song’s genesis, but the singer regains her power through the catharsis of art. Another major factor contributing to the single’s success is that it provides such a clear release for the singer and listener alike.
The chorus is that payoff moment that we’re here for. DeeLynn throws the full fiber of her being into making that real for listeners. Few will be anything less than exhilarated after its conclusion. DeeLynn’s vocal elasticity allows her to inhabit the arrangement’s different textures, and she remains utterly convincing with each new turn. She’s well served by her supporting cast, but there’s no doubt that she’s the star of this single.
Her future is boundless. I end this review stating, unequivocally, that there’s likely little Rachel DeeLynn can’t do musically. “Can You Hear Me Now?” is a tantalizing glimpse of her gifts. It’s easy to believe that her pending debut EP will catapult her name among the first rank of young singer/songwriters and position her for even greater accomplishments. Relocating to Nashville and playing live as often as possible are helping further hone her skills and reflect her discipline and commitment. Coming in on the ground floor of major new musical talents is a big reason why I do this, and I believe you’ll agree that Rachel DeeLynn’s “Can You Hear Me Now?” delivers the goods.
Colin Jordan
