From the album’s opening track, “Whistle Blow”, to its dreamy closing note, “I Made A Case”, Rachael Sage’s album, “The Other Side” carries us through a thrilling ride through notes and melodies into her musical cosmos. The album’s 15 tracks convey emotions spanning genres, emotions, and timelessness, giving us access into every level of Sage’s universe.
“Whistle Blow” opens the album with an easy-going and mysterious atmosphere, featuring ringing guitar chords, airy vocals, and ambient instrumentation – creating the scene for what promises to be an exciting journey ahead. A subtle introduction akin to reading an engaging novel’s first chapter that draws you in with its intrigue is what this track accomplishes.
The title track, ‘The Other Side’, emerges as an energetic rhythmic anthem with an engaging percussive feel, featuring light percussion, horns, keys and Rachael’s emotive vocals riding high above musical waves to form an infectious and uplifted musical composition that draws listeners in to move to its beat.
“No Regrets” is Sage’s heartfelt proclamation of everything that she values. With its powerful horn section, piano chords, and steady drumming, the song exudes purposefulness. It’s a musical declaration of affirmation and a celebration of life’s small pleasures. Additionally, the variety of instruments it uses lends depth and texture to the soundscape.
“I Made a Case” closes the album, beginning with eerie piano and string arrangements before layering vocal harmonies to create an ethereal dreamscape before Rachael recounts her personal story through an expressive ballad. A dramatic conclusion that leaves us reeling with emotion and yearning for more.
This album – for which she collaborated with some of her musical heroes – guitarists Jack Petruzzelli and James Mastro, trumpeter Russ Johnson, bassist Nick Beggs as well as guest vocals by Howard Jones – effortlessly blends Americana-infused pop hooks and folk poeticism for an inimitable musical journey, led by Rachael’s gritty yet ethereal voice as she leads through an array of instruments including acoustic guitars, fiddles, tympani and trumpets – resulting in music that effortlessly bridges classic warmth of the 1970s/’80s with contemporary artistry.
Rachael has described her album as encompassing “a high and low search for resilience in this broken world”. Every note conveys this sentiment of resilience amidst difficulty, its spirit bears testament to Sage’s experience as both cancer survivor and celebrate of life’s heart-breaking joys.
She is an accomplished multidimensional artist – from being an illustrator and former ballet dancer, to becoming an activist supporting social causes like WHY Hunger, American Refugee Committee, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Hospital and National Network For Youth (NN4Y). Her commitment can be seen through her support of these organisations as well.
Rachael Sage’s album “The Other Side” is an immersive musical journey filled with diverse soundscapes, emotive storytelling, and her mesmerising vocals – making for an experience unlike any other. Resonating with hope, resilience, and the beauty of human spirit, “The Other Side” offers us all something extraordinary – as Rachael looks forward to touring and connecting with her audience she may well create new triumphant tales after this remarkable musical journey is complete.
You can find more of Rachael Sage at:
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You can listen to ‘The Other Side’ below:
Karen Harding is a Melbourne, Australia based singer/songwriter, founder of Sounds On The Couch, and founder and operator of boutique music PR service for emerging and independent artists, Rise Indie.