Music Review – Gemini by Indiana Rich

…if ABBA and Billie Eilish had a love child it may sound something like this.

Gemini is the third studio album by Boston vocalist and songwriter Indiana Rich, whose talent and style keeps evolving.  Approaching her work with that sense of humor and openness makes this description quite accurate for Rich’s third album. Heavy on vintage synth but with a good dose of indie irony, Blondie might be another good comparison for Rich’s work. Fun but also poignant, Gemini is a perfect initiation for new fans but also a continuation of her previous work.

Indiana Rich is one of those artists for whom a musical path seems to have been destined. A talented vocalist with an incredible range, her rich and soulful mezzo saw her not only in choirs and singing groups from an early age, but shot her through the ranks quickly, landing the Boston native in almost every honors choir the eastern seaboard had to offer.

After traveling around Europe in the American Music Abroad Tour, singing in the Boston All Eastern Honors Choir, competing in the International Championship of High School A Cappella (ICHSA) and starring in several musicals, Indiana released her first studio album, Daydreamer, just after graduating high school.  While attending Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, Rich continued her impressive work with choirs as she became musical director of the well-known Lehigh Echoes a capella group, recording and producing three EPs with the ensemble. She was selected to compete in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCAs) where she was a two-time soloist and simultaneously nominated for best solo and best arrangement, all while working on and releasing her second album, Headphones On.
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With her style thus far a fusion of indie pop, folk and musicals inspired by her training and artists running the gamut from ABBA to Billie Eilish, Rich continues to explore and cultivate her sound with her latest album, GEMINI. With her vocal powerhouse and songwriting capabilities well established, Rich turned her attention to production on this album, adding a strong electronic element to her repertoire.

Working with her father Chris to produce this new sound on GEMINI, Rich’s work has taken on a new dimension, exploring the deeper and richer tones of ambient sound as well as all the possibilities programmers and synths provide. The result is a musical experience that is all-encompassing and highlights Rich’s extraordinary vocals and social commentary in her lyrics in a deeper, fuller way.

“Musically, my style blends a cappella with elements of classic rock and vocally oriented pop,”shares Indiana. “As a female vocalist, my voice and vocal arrangements are the driving force behind my music. When people ask, I describe it Pop/Rock-Cappella.”

With such a strong sense of her sound, the massively lauded vocalist went into the creation of Gemini with the intention of making a highly personal album but the end product is not only relatable but an interesting commentary on the society in which young millennials and zoomers find themselves.

On the album, Indiana shares” GEMINI is an extremely personal album to me. It is my response to the challenges of being a young adult in today’s world. My lyrics address topics that are important to me: Appreciation, healing, and vibrant growth. When people listen to this project my hope is first and foremost that they’re entertained and are also inspired to stand strong and be optimistic.”
 

Tracks like the tongue-in-cheek “Just Google It!” hit that balance between entertaining and thought-provoking whilst the synth-driven “When You Say You Love Me” is both a commentary on society and a call to come back to oneself because love and human experience is worth it. Half celebration of humanity and half criticism, Gemini is a perfect title for all the dichotomies which exist in this album. Pair that with Rich’s extraordinary voice, Gemini is nothing less than an indie pop masterpiece.

With a musical-quality voice and a fun sense of indie pop styling, Gemini is an evocative and emotional journey through the artist’s vocal and emotional range. And with Indiana’s goal of reaching more and more audiences with her personal and emotive message, this latest album is only the beginning . She will continue to explore, challenge and expand her sound, always reminding us that clearly as she was born to be a musician, her growth and connection with other people is what drives her.

Listen to “GEMINI” on Spotify.

The full album is available on Youtube in addition to music videos for  “Just Google It!”, “When You Say You Love Me…” and “Wake Up (It’s Alright)”

 

Keep up with Indiana Rich through her website and socials below.

Websites:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/NCsbmsZoEsk4tUDT/?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Twitter: www.twitter.com/IndyRich_
Instagram: www.instagram.com/indianarich_music
Spotify: Indiana Rich
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0gqv0cVsmVusxU5dSoKbws?si=0_P_cyZPRIW5PPnlZh3MyQ
Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Deezer
Youtube Channel: @IndianaRich

Nadia Elkharadly

Nadia Elkharadly

Nadia Elkharadly is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of Addicted Magazine. Her myriad of addictions include music, fashion, travel, technology, boxing and trying to make the world a better place. Nadia is also a feminist, an animal lover, and a neverending dreamer. Keep up with her on social media through @thenadiae.
Nadia Elkharadly

@TheNadiaE

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