MUSIC REVIEW: ECHOES – Quiet, In Your Service

Label: Outlast

Release Date: January 17, 2025

Rating: 92%

Reviewer: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

The first review of 2025 takes me in a new direction sonically with a release that swirls hard rock, modern rock, and some ethereal grooves and vibes for good measure.  Echos steps out on her own in the rock and metal world and does so in style.  Disc opener “Mariposa” is a mostly instrumental piece that helps set the stage for the rest of the disc, but especially the next track. “Carousel” has a great musical undertone that carries from start to finish and allows Echos to deliver a beautiful vocal overtop that draws you in with an emotionally charged delivery that hinges on haunting.  If this track doesn’t keep you listening, nothing will… yet.  “Bruises” has an autotune feel to it that adds punch to the vocals that get layered and then merge into a poppier metal vibe that gets the foot tapping while you listen for the lyric and dig into the psyche of the song.  The layered vocal overtop the verses adds depth to the track as a danceable rock beat gets swirled into the fray.  “Awful Things” is another atmospheric interlude that gives the disc a nice intermission for you to collect yourself and prepare for the rest of what Echos has to offer.  Disc closer and ‘outro’ “Tolerance” is a great example of what can go right when an artist is left to perform without much musical accompaniment.  The layered vocals add textures that have been peppered throughout the disc but are prominent here and are an amazing way to bring the collection to a close yet leave you wanting more.

The title track “Quiet, In Your Service” is a melancholic journey that gives us a deeper glimpse into the vocals Echos brings to the table.  Her experience in other musical genres shine through vocally on this track and give us a killer alt rocker with a voice that permeates the music as well as giving me another song to add to my workday listening cycle.  “Over & Over” comes across sonically like a ballad, but this is so much more.  The lyrics are deep and allow each of us to connect on some level with the emotional words and delivery.  This one hits even harder as the guitars and rhythm section punch it at the chorus giving the song another facet to enjoy. “Papercuts” rolls over the musical landscape with an unassuming demeanor that blends into the background while listening.  I dig when the piano interlude hits with the drums as the song morphs between verses, prechorus, and choruses.  While not a song that stands up and screams ‘listen to me’ it is a solid track that has cool nuances woven into the song.  “Wires” is another song that leans into an atmospheric / ethereal swirl that serves the song and mood well as the disc works toward the end.  Echos vocals seem subdued more so than on other tracks, but are still as enjoyable as on any other song here.  Here’s hoping we get an opportunity to see and hear what she can do with this material in a live situation.

Tracklisting: Mariposa – Carousel – Quiet, In Your Service – Bruises – Over & Over – Awful Things – Papercuts – Wires – Tolerance

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QUIET IN YOUR SERVICE – APPLE MUSIC

Category: CD Reviews