NICOLA SCHULTZ – UNION
At first there is a sneaking suspicion this could be Christian music, but listening closer, there are no lyrics to suggest this. Therefore I am going to go with New-Age music, which is, I suppose, a religion on its own. A following for the aimless. And this record follows this path well. Winding around and around but going nowhere. Nicola’s breathy voice is angelic, full of sunshine and light, with soft acoustic guitar to match. Lyrics explore the universe, existence and dreams, but struggle to make a statement. Her songs seem to be, like her voice, full of air. And at times, for someone with such a breathy voice, can be ear-piercingly pitchy. There are some highlights to the album however, first single It’s Okay Now which sounds like a lullaby with its tick-tocks and the soothing ‘ssh ssh we’re here now’. And Jacqueline, which begins with African-style percussion and a harmony with the deep voice of Brian Mann, sounding a little like The Water Song intro to Aerosmith’s Janey Got a Gun. Very nice. Union travels well with some serene sounds, but like hymns, her music will speak to some but ultimately lose others.
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