The Newfoundland folk duo Bridget & Dahlia have released their debut album, Runaways, and it’s a sparkling foundation for the rest of their career.
Though Bridget Swift and Dahlia Waller are young, having only recently graduated high school, it’s clear just by listening to them that music has been in their lives for a long time. The album is an impressive show of their skills, be it vocally, instrumentally, or even through their introspective lyrics. There’s this feeling of wisdom and timelessness – as though the duo are wise beyond their years.
There was a time when the pristine harmonies and simplistic instrumentation of this particular genre were playing on every mainstream radio. To the point of oversaturation, some would argue. Enough time has passed, however, and enough trends have been cycled through that this album feels like a refreshing return to basics. Which isn’t to say there’s nothing special about it. In fact, the duo breathe a refreshing, youthful new life into the mix.
Right out the gate, it’s clear that Bridget & Dahlia have found a comfortable home in the whimsical. The opening notes of “What I’ve Become” feel like magic, and that feeling only grows the moment they open their mouths. You can feel the sweeping chorus stinging in your chest. It’s a powerful opening track. That formula is used throughout the whole album, and it works every time.
The singles that were previously released, “Hide” and “Awake”, shine even brighter now that they’re in the context of a full album. Maybe it’s because they’ve been out in the wild for longer, but they feel like pillars that the album itself has been built around. It’s like a checkpoint when you reach one, a place to touch base before jumping back into thick of things.
The duo venture into a bit darker territory at times, and it’s an exciting change of pace. “Stone Angel” is an aching tale of a young life tragically lost. It really showcases the depth the two can achieve lyrically. Meanwhile “Castle” simply sounds eerie, right from the opening phonograph sound effect. The change of sound from time to time keeps things fresh.
And finally, some tracks are just fun. The bassy piano in “Kaleidoscope” livens things up a bit, and has a bit of a more mature sound compared to the carefree youth we’ve been given up until now.
The album closes on “Games of Yesterday”, and it certainly leaves a lasting impression. The harmonies are at a clean and deepcut high on this track, and coupled only with a calm plucking of strings, it makes the nostalgic lyrics that much more bittersweet. It’s certainly one that’s going to stick.
If it has you feeling too choked up, you’ll probably just have to start the album over again and be swept up in the waves of feeling okay again.
Tour Dates:
08.01.19 – Corner Brook, NL @ The Rotary Arts Centre*
08.09.19 – St. John’s, NL @ Harbourside Park
08.09.19 – St. John’s, NL @ LSPU Hall*
08.31.19 – Cape St. Mary’s, NL @ Cape St. Mary’s Performance Series
*Album Release Show