Artist: Anna Graves
Song: “In the Wild”
Album: Ghostland EP (release date TBD)
Label: Island Records/Lava
Genre: Americana, Alt Pop, Indie
Growing up in Minnesota without a television, Anna Graves had to exercise her imagination. Writing, painting, time outdoors, and listening to music. The songwriting of artists like Joni Mitchell, Tori Amos, Tracy Chapman, Prince and Bob Dylan played a role in developing her musical direction. Also playing a part, especially in her excellent new single “In the Wild”, was moving to Los Angeles. The song captures how Anna:
“felt moving to Los Angeles and being overwhelmed. It’s a huge city with so many people, but I was more alone than ever. I’m less alone surrounded by nature.”
Running on a somber acoustic melody, lyrics like “there’s nothing here for me but a long way down” reveal the insecurity and doubt that can plague an aspiring songwriter entering into the wild world of L.A. Graves digs further into the depths of fear and loneliness, singing “Stay in shallow water for survival, waiting till we drown, out in the wild.” Anna’s voice has a pained soulfulness, belting out a grey sky melody that is airy, spacious and moving. It’s one that would make the deserted streets of Los Angeles feel like a desolate wasteland; plaintive in its beauty even if melancholy.
Discover this stunner in our Check This 2023 Playlist!
The Indy Review 