Kellylee Evans: No Longer wanting to be The Good Girl

Four years after releasing her first urban-jazz album, Ottawa based singer-songwriter Kellylee Evans is ready to step up to the next level of her music career. Her sophomore album, The Good Girl, reflects a personal journey; one that, according to Evans, is about being true to yourself and the idea of trying to please everybody around you. She goes on to say, "For me, the album looks at love, lust, and longing. It's all about the ups and downs of obsession. It's about constantly trying to figure out the right way to go and who I should be, and who I should listen to, and realizing that I should just listen to myself."

And these words ring clear in her lyrics. The album opener, "Good Girl," is a very profound track that sums up the feel of the entire album. It is clear, despite the toe-tapping beat, that this is a song about not wanting to live up to somebody else's expectations. The song is a very strong piece to start with because, even though Evans's voice is soft and genuine, the message comes through with a powerful punch.

The tracks continue in their groove-infused procession until finally "Glad It's You" bounces through the speakers. The beat is such that you can't help swaying to it a little, and the song heads deep into the obsession she has wanted to portray in her work. Evan's lyrics are easy to follow and, unlike many artists, their message is clear and in the forefront. There is very little subliminal working going on, and this directness allows the listener to appreciate the songs on a very easy level. That is not to say they lack depth, but it is refreshing to not have to decipher obscure metaphors and innuendo.

The album closes with a soft, subtle piece called "Stay Awake." The emotion and longing are so profound they break through Evans's quiet, calming voice and wrap the listener in their gentle caress. The strings in the background are a nice touch to the slow beat of the drum, and complement her lyrics perfectly. The song is a great way to come down from the more upbeat tunes, and brings a sense of completion to the album.

Unlike her first album, Fight or Flight, The Good Girl is less jazzy. The Juno and Gemini Award nominee still embraces those jazz roots that are so familiar from her first creation, but here she conveys a more pop/reggae feel in her songs that allows her to show off her musical diversity and range.

More information can be found at www.kellyleeevans.com.

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