The debut album from Chicago-based singer/songwriter A.D. Kessler, Cobalt Blue captivates with a serene jazz-inspired rock sound, set amidst poetic lyrical prowess and laid-back vocal immersion. The release also features Peter Mack on drums and Jake Gordon on upright bass.
“My Rome” opens the album with a lushly contemplative intrigue, combining a jazzy bass crawl with lush guitar pulses amidst Kessler’s understated croon. “I can always find my Rome,” the vocals let out past the two-minute turn, delighting there with a slight melodic shift in the guitar lines. A brisker rhythmic pace takes hold on the subsequent “The Spins,” while “Rise” moves back into lusher entrancement — exuding a sophisti-pop appeal with shades of early-era Prefab Sprout.
“Aquarium” is another success, succeeding with Latin influences and a pleading, quivering vocal captivation. “Forgive my English, protect my image,” the vocals let out, maintaining a ghostly immersion into the “freezing in July,” closing refrain. The album consistently enthralls in its jazzy, atmospheric rock productions and relaxed, stream-of-conscious vocal pace — from the poetic, bluesy rock shades of “Ex Machina” to the relaxing closing title track.
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“Aquarium” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
