“Echo”
opens in cinematic darkness, its thunderous chest-rattling percussion leaving
the first imprint - and rightly so! But the listener quickly learns that the
song from Amber Jade Smith offers far more. Her commanding voice cuts through,
almost untouched by the force of the percussion. And the many shifts in vocal
tempo heighten the impact of the intelligently crafted lyrics, with quicker
passages injecting urgency and slower phrasing creating moments of calm. The
shifting is particularly effective starting with the verse at 2:55.
The
song is about the pains of a love relationship. Amber Jade Smith explained:
“’Echo’ is an ambient and emotive reflection on love, fear, and self-awareness. Written in the middle of the night during a period of deep reflection, the song explores unhealthy attachments, the fear of abandonment, and the ache of wanting love to be returned even when it hurts. Through honest vocals and atmospheric soundscapes, I tried to turn vulnerability into beauty and creativity, transforming my desire to be loved into a moment of raw, honest expression. ‘Echo’ was produced by the amazing Josiah Manning, hitting sticks on the studio floor and creating soundscapes with recorders and keys.”
The
mention of turning “vulnerability into beauty and creativity” most likely
relates to composing “Echo” as a whole, but the turn to beauty also describes
the entrance of strings (or synth-generated violins) at 1:10, when the the
percussive intensity temporarily exhales. But, much like the shifting vocal
tempo, the strings are most affecting near the song’s end, as their gentle
beauty offers a striking counterpoint to the percussion’s fierce weight and the
echoing anguish in the vocals.
Amber Jade Smith was born in South Wales and is now based in Plymouth,
UK. She has always been highly interested in music, influenced by artists such
as Stevie Nicks, Daughter and The xx.
“Echo”
by Amber Jade Smith
“’Echo’ is an ambient and emotive reflection on love, fear, and self-awareness. Written in the middle of the night during a period of deep reflection, the song explores unhealthy attachments, the fear of abandonment, and the ache of wanting love to be returned even when it hurts. Through honest vocals and atmospheric soundscapes, I tried to turn vulnerability into beauty and creativity, transforming my desire to be loved into a moment of raw, honest expression. ‘Echo’ was produced by the amazing Josiah Manning, hitting sticks on the studio floor and creating soundscapes with recorders and keys.”
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ambersmithofficial/
Streaming sources: https://amberjadesmith.ffm.to/echo
Streaming sources: https://amberjadesmith.ffm.to/echo
Lyrics of “Echo” by Amber Jade Smith
I don't wanna fight,
Nothing I ever say seems to come out right,
And even if it did, I have nothing left to give.
We ended up hollow, my love was never intended to be borrowed,
I wanted you to take it from me, keep it from me,
Like you needed it to live.
Because I needed it like water needs to flow,
Like a river needs somewhere to go,
Reaching for somewhere that I don't feel alone.
Oh my love, it was always yours to keep, you know.
We were never in too deep at all.
All I ever wanted was your echo.
Your echo….
Your echo….
You were always gonna fly,
But you and me were looking at two different skies,
The sun never shone in mine,
But don't you dare tell me that I didn't try.
Because I needed it like water needs to flow,
Like a river needs somewhere to go,
Reaching for somewhere that I don't feel alone.
Oh my love, it was always yours to keep, you know.
Hold on till your knuckles start to glow,
All I ever wanted was your echo.
Your echo…..
Your echo….
Well I guess that it's naive to wear my heart upon my sleeve
I can't believe that it meant nothing after all.
Maybe I won't ever know what happened to me long ago
I thought that you'd be there to break the fall.
Because I needed it like water needs to flow,
Like a river needs somewhere to go,
Reaching for somewhere that I don't feel alone.
Oh my love, it was always yours to keep, you know.
We were never in too deep at all.
All I ever wanted was your echo.
Your echo…..
Your echo…..
I don't wanna fight,
Nothing I ever say seems to come out right,
And even if it did, I have nothing left to give.
We ended up hollow, my love was never intended to be borrowed,
I wanted you to take it from me, keep it from me,
Like you needed it to live.
Because I needed it like water needs to flow,
Like a river needs somewhere to go,
Reaching for somewhere that I don't feel alone.
Oh my love, it was always yours to keep, you know.
We were never in too deep at all.
All I ever wanted was your echo.
Your echo….
Your echo….
You were always gonna fly,
But you and me were looking at two different skies,
The sun never shone in mine,
But don't you dare tell me that I didn't try.
Because I needed it like water needs to flow,
Like a river needs somewhere to go,
Reaching for somewhere that I don't feel alone.
Oh my love, it was always yours to keep, you know.
Hold on till your knuckles start to glow,
All I ever wanted was your echo.
Your echo…..
Your echo….
Well I guess that it's naive to wear my heart upon my sleeve
I can't believe that it meant nothing after all.
Maybe I won't ever know what happened to me long ago
I thought that you'd be there to break the fall.
Because I needed it like water needs to flow,
Like a river needs somewhere to go,
Reaching for somewhere that I don't feel alone.
Oh my love, it was always yours to keep, you know.
We were never in too deep at all.
All I ever wanted was your echo.
Your echo…..
Your echo…..
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