EP Review: Clare Dunn Is The Female Country’s Been Awaiting

Clare Dunn EP

Clare Dunn releases her debut EP today, a five-track whirlwind of edgy vocals, bold lyrics, and strong production that culminates in an incredibly catchy first offering. Dunn has toured with artists ranging from Miranda Lambert to Bob Seger, and shares their artistic strength and conviction. She’s one of the most exciting new artists in the format, with a totally different approach, sound, and brand than the artists she’s fighting for airplay. Current single “Move On” has gained momentum at Sirius XM, and recently cracked the top 50 on country airplay.

“Move On,” like the majority of the EP, is unapologetic, catchy, bold, and expertly crafted. “All them days are over, all them red lights are green / so move on, move on, move on, make your move on me,” Dunn sings in the chorus. The song has caught the attention of artists like Dierks Bentley, who Tweeted that it was a “bad ass song” with “a totally unique vibe.” With it and the body of work released today along with it, Dunn truly sets herself apart, both sonically and temperamentally – there’s no other female like her in the genre, and it’s about time she arrived.

Dunn produced the five-track effort herself, as well as co-writing each of the songs. The EP starts bold with “Ferrari,” a catchy and fast-paced song that’s deliciously unapologetic, a sonic rush equivalent to that of a sudden downshift in the car she describes. “I don’t care that it cost two grand ‘cuz I like how it handles in my hands / Stereo up with the top laid back and if you see me I’m probably running way too fast / I don’t care that there’s holes in the floor and all them dash lights don’t work anymore / even thought it ain’t, I ain’t sorry / I’ma still drive it like, like it’s a Ferrari,” Dunn announces. “Knowing that’s mine gets me off every time,” she adds suggestively, mimicking the slightly sexual allusions that pepper “Move On;” it’s a choice that’s become commonplace for pop-leaning male country artists or female pop artists, but one that country females have been hesitant to even wink at. “I ain’t sorry,” Dunn repeats in the bridge.

Unapologetic seems to be a theme of the EP – Dunn doesn’t care if she drives too aggressively, speaks too boldly about her attraction, or even if she throws a half-spoken (dare we say rapped?) bridge in “Tuxedo.” The theme continues with “Cowboy Side of You,” the good-to-be-bad country equivalent of songs like Britney Spears’ “Criminal.” To draw on the vehicular metaphors of which Dunn seems a fan, if country music were the racetrack, Dunn’s the artist that swerves to the front of the pack, tossing her cigarette and leaving an explosion of sparks on your windshield.

Only for a moment does Dunn slow down, on the Tom Douglas co-penned “Old Hat.” The song, an 808-under-toned ballad that describes her dad’s old hat, and the way she wears it sometimes in his memory. It’s sweet and is a solid fit; although not her bread and butter sonically or stylistically, it rounds out the EP well, and proves that she’s far from one-dimensional.

Though many country artists have gone the country-pop route, Dunn delivers a sound that’s more rock based, with a quick-stepping vocal that at times even winks at hip-hop, without being cheesy or over-wrought. It’s a much needed fresh sound and approach, and one that Dunn masterfully writes, produces, and delivers.

Grab the debut on iTunes, or stream below.

4.5 picks stars

Review: 4.5/5

 

 

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