Ari Hest
Someone To Tell
Columbia
Ari Hest is the latest singer/songwriter sensation to be snapped up by a major label in the slipstream created by John Mayer. And although Mayer fans will lap up the pop-flavored “Fascinate You,” the fact that 24-year-old Hest’s personality and individual style are all over this record proves that he can’t be accused of lacking originality.
Someone To Tell is marked both by Hest’s soulful voice and some gritty, powerful songs that evoke the timeless themes of love, escape and introspection. Songs like the infectious “Holding On” and the terrific opener “They’re Onto Me” prove that it’s a winning combination. Many of the songs remain from Story After Story, the indie album that secured Hest a major label deal, but of the new efforts, the inspirational “A Fond Farewell” is the by far the best, telling of moving on and discovering a moment of clarity.
The intelligently written “Strangers Again” has a jazzy, laid back feel to it while recalling the stylings of songwriters like Edwin McCain, “Consistency” picks up the pace again impressively and the beautiful “Monsters” is simply breathtaking. But the highlight of Someone To Tell is the reworking of “Aberdeen,” another tune from Hest’s early career, which in its rousing account of personal progression, mirrors his own meteoric rise from DIY troubadour to major label hopeful.
Someone To Tell is a diverse, mature record which will surely catapult Hest into the big time. My advice: check out Hest on his forthcoming club tour, as on this evidence, he’ll be filling arenas before too long.
Ari Hest: http://www.arihest.com/
