Julia Bryan

Singer-songwriter Julia Bryan’s first full-length release, Still Burning, burns brightest when the powerful simplicity of her voice is isolated from the rest of her band. Songs like “Let You Go” and “Crave” bring these strong solo reverberations to the surface, fluctuating between Bryan’s soft whisper and her wavering howl. No studio trickery or vocal layering is used anywhere on the record, and this is a good thing. Bryan has an admirable range to her vocals, which resonates beautifully, even through the notable fluff (there’s an inherent hokeyness of style and lyrical content here that’s impossible to ignore). “Broken Down” sounds like a watery blues track, while songs like “French Fries While He Drives” come off like a commercial for yogurt, dark chocolate or prescription medication.