In The Center Of A Star

Cliffie Swan “Dream Chain”

Sophia Knapp, the lead singer of Cliffie Swan, has a very old-fashioned sort of voice. It’s overtly feminine but not remotely wispy and light, and confident without being particularly brassy or bold. It’s just this lovely, right-down-the-middle tone, with phrasing that perfectly articulates the melody without embellishment. She sounds like the kind of lady who takes karaoke very, very seriously and decided to write an album full of the type of tuneful, wistful 70s soft pop, classic rock and country that she loves to sing. “Dream Chain” is particularly great as a showcase for her voice, and very well crafted. It feels immediately comfortable and familiar, but the dynamic shifts are clever enough that it doesn’t come across as flat or predictable.

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