Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde

After listening to Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, I did some background checking on the artist Naree. How could I not when the album is named after a famous novel? I felt it was more than likely that some sort of duality in Naree’s life or work would emerge: a yin to a yang, a left to a right, two sides holding a vertebrae. What I discovered is the tale of a young woman who has miraculously overcome a medically challenged past, a young woman who at twenty-two has already survived ovarian cancer, a woman who had a fourteen pound tumor removed, and a woman who survived a heart attack and multiple operations. One of her parts didn’t change: her soul. What I heard was perhaps a different side of the story.

Naree has an excellent voice. It’s not overly saccharine; instead, it is melodic but not overworked, and she doesn’t have to try very hard in order to convey her feelings through song. Naree seems to have that ideal “it” quality and more importantly, she has a relatable element to her, meaning that you can sing along and actually believe you’re singing along. (Naree being the better singer of the two.)

In Naree, I hear an optimistic and honest voice. I hear an album filled with strong pop/rock songs that can be catchy at times and memorable at others. Take the song “Life’s Lessons,” an empowering song, a tune that speaks of not settling, of having what you expect and more importantly what you want. In essence, it’s an female power anthem.

All of the lyrics and feelings are beautifully coherent. Naree’s optimistic perspective and tendency towards human nature are reflected in the lyrics. Not all of the songs have the same feeling. “A Song Written On An Arm” has a more delicate and vulnerable aspect to it. It’s mainly about a lover wanting to walk away from the relationship, but being unable to. These emotional conflicts are the essence of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde.

The album is musically interesting and has great potential. Yet the musicality needs to catch up to the depth of the lyrics, which at first sight seem light and fluffy. I wouldn’t call this a life changing album, but with an extra push, Naree could be amazing.

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