Revealing an affecting folk sound with a Christmastime setting, Big Colored Lights is a memorable EP from Brooklyn-based artist Katie Curley. The artist, who teaches elementary school by day, set out to write one Christmas song each year — and the EP is a culmination of that goal, resulting in a myriad of heartfelt emotions. The tones are more slice-of-life than warmly sentimental, capturing the holiday season with an authentic artfulness and melodic folk aesthetical enchantment.
The realism is evident in the opening title alone; “Christmastime Therapy” acknowledges the burden of family get-togethers, when the past isn’t exactly rosy. “All those times you came to kiss me good night, or tuck me in bed,” the reminisces stir alongside twangy guitars and solemn piano. “I didn’t say what I was thinking, that’s what growing up’s for.” Keeping those emotions inside, and how they lead to therapy later on, is wittily captured: “Thanks to you and Daddy / I’ve got a lifetime supply / Of heartbreaking stories.”
The EP continues with a range of quality songwriting, including its standout title track. “My heart is flying back home for Christmas,” soaring vocals pair with twangy guitars and warming acoustics for an inviting appeal, with snow-covered visions adding further into idyllic visions. “Closing in on December” is also exceptional in its folk-forward navigation, featuring Sun Volt’s Mark Spencer on pedal steel, while Lizzie Edwards lends enthralling vocals to the EP finale “New Year’s Too.” The cumulative output is a sturdy folk success from Katie Curley.
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We discovered this release via MusoSoup, as part of the artist’s promotional campaign.
