Music review: Rachel Platten- 鈥榃ildfire鈥�
Fresh off her dazzling performance on ABC鈥檚 鈥淣ew Year鈥檚 Rockin鈥� Eve,鈥� Rachel Platten releases her third full-length album to welcome in 2016 in a favorable fashion.
The 12-song effort spotlights a blossoming Platten starting to hit her songwriting stride with lyrics that pack encouraging messages filled with determination, perseverance and self-awareness that wander a full range of emotions orchestrated directly from the heart, making 鈥淲ildfire鈥� an appealing treasury of infectious arrangements that are smart and endearing morsels of pure pop pleasure.
The multi-talented, 34-year-old singer-songwriter displays the pop sophistication of Katy Perry, Sara Bareilles鈥� knack for penning catchy lyrics and the lively vocal style of Ingrid Michaelson.
鈥淪tand by You,鈥� the album鈥檚 second single, instantly delivers an upbeat tone with its melodious hooks and enthusiastic sing-along chorus, before yielding to the pulsating dance groove and sexy, spirited vocal offering displayed on 鈥淗ey Hey Hallelujah鈥� featuring Andy Grammer.
The soaring pop anthem 鈥淔ight Song鈥� highlights the tracklist with its inspirational message about believing in yourself and pursuing your passion no matter what obstacles may stand in your path. Platten鈥檚 signature song was first released in early 2015 and gained coveted television exposure as a rousing sales jingle used in commercials for the Ford Edge.
Well-crafted arrangements such as 鈥淏etter Place,鈥� 鈥淎ngels in Chelsea鈥� and 鈥淵ou Don鈥檛 Know My Heart,鈥� give prominence to the depth and genuineness of Platten鈥檚 heartfelt messages disguised as delicious samples of pop delight.
鈥淪uperman鈥� is a deeply personal love song of encouragement written for Platten鈥檚 husband that gracefully brings the album to a tender close after leaving a lasting impression.
Platten will make a local appearance on March 15 at Mr. Smalls Theatre in Millvale.