Album Review: Lindsey Stirling – Brave Enough
2 min read
Calling to mind the Australian/British string quartet Bond, solo violinist Lindsey Stirling combines her love of classical music with EDM. Having recorded original productions and covers, Stirling is coming off from her 2014 Billboard Music Award winning album, Shatter Me, with latest release Brave Enough.
Brave Enough is a mash-up of solo tracks and collaborations. The latter including title track Brave Enough, which features Christina Perri, who’s clean, clear, reverbed vocals dominates before the EDM breakdown. Stirling on the violin is the obvious focal point directing each track. But she manages to blend the perfect amount of classical and electronic into her work. Prism being an example of this, synths, low bass, adlib vocals, that have been obviously tweaked and cut off sharply at points with the violin peeking through more than dominating.
Something Wild ft Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness is indeed a wild chase through a chant-like background vocal. Lindsey’s folksy violin efforts glimmer throughout the stunning piano intro that stacks up like a wooden tower with guitars and tribal drums arriving to the party one at a time.
Love’s Just A Feeling ft Rooty is stamped with Zedd’s trademark bouncy beats and buzzing synths. Rooty’s vocals soar in the only way a vocalist can on a Zedd-produced track. Dripping with equal part rasp and equal part vulnerability, Rooty leads the way to the fuzzy violin breakdown that buzzes with life.
The closing song, Gavi’s Song (a tribute to a friend who passed), is sentimental and fragile, violins piercing through and brushing gently alongside the piano. It is both beautiful and haunting to hear, ending in a crackling rendition of the songs melody.
Lindsey Stirling captivates on her classical violin stylings and is never drowned out by collaborations or production value, but is instead elevated by them. Brave Enough, was indeed brave enough to hold an audience’s attention.
