Delivery

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Delivery is the Rounder Records debut of eclectic songwriter, singer, and harp specialist Mikaela Davis. Far from a "harp record," though, Delivery features alternately bluesy and poppy arrangements that present the harp as part of a broader, textured front. The opener, "Delivery," for instance, begins with voice and piano before eventually adding bass and drums, which are played on the album by her touring bandmembers Shane McCarthy and Alex Coté. Harp and fuzzed-out guitar then round out the track's palette. It's a varied album, though, and the contrasting "Do You Wanna Be Mine?" is defined by '80s pop-styled synths, while "Get Gone" drifts into funk. It's the spare acoustic ballad "Emily," however, that proves to be an album highlight, with its rhythmic arpeggiated harp and tight three-part backing harmonies by the Staves. The Staves return for the trippy closer, "Pure Divine Love," a swirly, pitch-bending affair that blends electric and acoustic instruments and their melodic trajectories. The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by none other than John Congleton, who produced for the Decemberists and Kimbra, just to name a couple of projects from the same release year. Spanning, as it does, psychedelia, rootsy pop, synth-centric adult pop, and chamber balladry, what stands out more than the production or even performances on the album are memorable, almost anthemic melodies. For those who stick through the stylistic explorations, the songs underneath not only invite repeat listens but even provide a few earworms.

© Marcy Donelson /TiVo