Rumer – Seasons Of My Soul

Rumer, born with the name Sarah Joyce, is this year female new act in the British music scene. At the age of 31, she seems a bit old for a new comer. However, she has great dedication into music. In the past ten years, Rumer has done so many jobs but she never give up writing songs. Also, she had performed in numerous gigs in small venues around London. Finally, Rumer got a record deal with Atlantic Records and released her debut album "Seasons of my soul" earlier November this year.

I read a piece of interesting news in the internet about Rumer. The American music legend Burt Bacharach once heard some of her songs and he loved them very much instantly. So he invited Rumer to fly from London to his hugh mansion in LA to perform in front of him privately. This is really a rare opportunity for a new artist. And as quoted from Rumer herself: If Burt Bacharach says you are good, it's time you start to believe yourself.

Rumer’s voice is very soft and smooth, fill with strong emotion and have a retro feeling. Some music critics resemble her voice with Karen Carpenter (of the band The Carpenter), which I admit they sound very alike in a few songs. Her music style is a mixed of pop/ soul/ and slightly bit of jazz. All the songs in the new album are very easy listening and radio friendly.

The opening track “Am I Forgiven” is a lovely mid- tempo song with cheerful atmosphere and support with beautiful chorus. It makes you feel like walking down the street on a very relaxing Sunday morning with not much people around and under a very nice weather. “Slow” is the first single from the album. It is a beautifully craft piece of work with a jazzy and very relaxing feeling. The next single “Aretha” talk about Rumer’s childhood, relation with her mother, and how she grew up by listening to the songs from the US “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin. There is a trace of blues in the song and a great vocal performance by Rumer.





“Come To Me High” is a slow and effortlessness piece of work fill with Rumer’s very seductive vocal. “Saving Grace” embraces listeners with joy, love and positive energy. It makes one feel the world is just perfect after listening to it. “Healer” is a piano driven song which talks about a hurt soul who is looking for a savior to lift her up to a higher ground. The last track “Goodbye Girl” is a remake of the 1978 song by David gates (a singer- song writer and also the lead singer of the group Bread). I compared the 2 versions of the song and like Rumer’s version better. And this is the most “Carpenter alike” song in the CD.

I listened to “Seasons of my soul” several times and still find it very enjoyable. I would say people would not find it too hard to fall in love with Rumer’s songs She is definitely a new artist who deserve more people’s attention this year.