The Album:

Although successful in his band Citizen, especially with their most recent release “As You Please”, fans were dying for another solo album from Kerekes. Kerekes released his first solo album in 2016, and after its success, it is no surprise that fans were wishing for new music by the artist. “Luna & the Wild Blue Everything” was a musical masterpiece, so let’s see if “Ruby” lived up to the measure. From the jump, it is heard that Kerekes is keeping his emotions at 10000%. From the first run of the record, one can expect to be taken on an emotional rollercoaster that will place them in this state of reflection while they can jam out at the same time (I know, crazy how the two can work together). This is possible through the hard-hitting lyrical content throughout each track in the cut as well as the fluctuation of instrumentals that pair with each affiliated melody. The instrumentals that occur on each selection pull from a variety of musical genres, which will expand the record’s success, for the music will appeal to various audience types. The main genres are alternative, rock, and indie, but Kerekes also nods to the pop, house, and contemporary musical genres, which makes for some interesting musical timbres that are original to this record. It is important to note that this record is not complex in lyrics, instrumentals, or even set up; however, the album is organized perfectly to allow the listeners to sail through this musical journey that Kerekes creates, in which he allows them to experience hard moments in a livelier manner. Overall, I am giving this album a 5 out of 5 stars. This record gets such a score because the music and the lyrical content is top notch. The album itself feels innovative, and it will likely be a front-running album for 2019. It’s hard to explain why this record gets a top score, you just have to experience it for yourself to see why.

 

Top Tracks:

“Diamonds”, “Spider Silk”, and “Autumn Dress”

Even though this album is remarkable from front to back, there are still key tracks that stick out to the listener, and these are the three that made the mark. These selections stick out amongst the pack, for they take the characteristic timbre of the album and stretch that slightly to create something intriguingly beautiful. “Intriguingly beautiful” is quite vague, I know, but there is no good way to express the nature of these works. They provide audience members with catchy melodies through heartfelt lyrics, while the instrumentals are soaring around them to enhance the work all at the same time. With that being said, I feel that these tracks pack the biggest punch, and through that, they will leave the biggest impression, so I would start here.

 

The Artwork:

 When glancing at the artwork first and foremost, it depicts a fairytale-like image; meaning, the picture looks like it would come straight from a children’s book. This is enticing to the audience member, for it plays with the imagination of the story that is being told through the art, and that alone will draw people in. The image shows a girl on a sailboat, sailing through this open ocean that appears to be a cloud of yellows and oranges, when talking color scheme. Tying this to the music that falls on the inside, the music talks about the autumn season, a lot of the lyrics nod to pastoral imagery in the same mindset. On top of that, the music itself feels very reflective, which ties to the gliding in the open ocean without a set destination in frame. Keeping these key factors in mind, it can be said that the artwork and the music make a perfect match. Kerekes gives the listeners tunes that will make them experience a variety of emotions, which commonly happens when one isolates and reflects. The fairytale depiction of that ties the whole story of that notion together, and it makes it seem real but also fake. Although that may be a tad confusing, it makes sense when you dissect it because the reflection process is confusing- it is very much real, but it is all in the hypothetical; thus, making it fake too. Furthermore, I would say, confidently, that this album artwork enhances of the success of this record significantly because it makes it feel complete.

*”Ruby” was released on April 19^th, 2019 through Roadrunner Records.