Iowa born singer-songwriter Natascha Myers released her debut project Do Not Go Gentle while she studied music at Clarke University in her home state. She managed to balance her studies with her music, and touring, and she cites Lee Ann Womack, Lori McKenna and Donovan Woods among her influences. Taking her career to the next step, Myers is on the verge of releasing five-track EP Songs From a Hardwood Floor and she’s starting to create quite a buzz.
Songs From a Hardwood Floor is a collection of tracks co-written by Myers and it showcases what she has to offer as an artist. With women very much in the spotlight at the moment as fans and artists push for more women to be heard on Country radio, it’s perfect timing for Myers to put her best foot forward and this EP is a strong case. Opening with Better With Time, Myers quickly establishes that her version of Country is filled with plenty of Americana influences. Myers has a distinctive voice that commands your attention and it has a soft edge that manages to stand out against the instrumentation.
Second track Hindsight is one of the strongest songs here. The production is a little less, allowing Myers’ voice to really stand in the foreground. The chorus is catchy and Myers has some really lovely little inflections in her vocal delivery that work well in the song. There’s a little more pop in the mix but that’s no bad thing and I can see this song working at Country radio.
The Fleetwood Mac-like Wanted Man comes next and it’s a dreamy mixture of strong melodies and Myers’ gorgeous vocal. It makes you want to kick back in the sunshine, crank out a bottle of wine and just soak up every second. It’s bright, breezy and summery track that will allow us to hold on to the fading weather into the autumn.
Title track Songs From a Hardwood Floor is the penultimate track on the EP and it’s the standout moment. Myers sings over a delicate acoustic guitar riff and she explores the higher parts of her vocal ability. It’s a gorgeous track that gives an insight into her journey as an artist. I’d love to her this completely stripped back without the strings and other instrumentation.
The final track is Three Musketeers & the Yankees, which keeps things mostly acoustic. The verse melody is reminiscent of John Lennon’s Imagine in parts but that comparison disappears as the chorus kicks in. The banjo riff in the background lifts the track and a steady beat adds a sense of urgency into the mix as Myers sings of perseverance and fighting to achieve your dreams.
Songs From a Hardwood Floor isn’t a carbon copy of what’s working for other artists, this is an EP that sets out Myers’ intentions and abilities as an artist. It’s a cohesive collection of songs that show a lot of promise. What I’d like to hear on her next batch of tracks is a little more push on the vocals. I feel like Myers has more power than she shows here and I’d like to see what she sounds like a little looser.
Track list: 1. Better With Time 2. Hindsight 3. Wanted Man 4. Songs From a Hardwood Floor 5. Three Musketeers & The Yankees Record label: Natascha Myers Release date: 24th September 2019
