Numerous singers gain short-lived fame when their songs appear on television shows, in films, or in commercials. However, this is not the case for Rachael Yamagata. She is continuously gaining popularity from the public through her music. Her musical paintbrush dabbles into diversity of music colorings, creating a harmonious blend. Her attractive voice lures listeners, embracing colorful sounds and emotional lyrics.
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Yamagata was interested in music and performance from an early age, and studied opera, theater, French, and Italian in college. She first began her musical career by chance when she joined the funk-fusion band Bumpus. As a vocalist, she spent six years touring, writing and recording with the band. When she was not performing with the band, she spent all night writing hundreds of her own songs, recording them on a tape recorder. With this long apprenticeship, Yamagata eventually began to realize that the songs she wrote did not fit the band’s style. So she could never perform the introspective and emotional music she liked to write. Her frustration came to a head, and she finally decided to go solo, singing her own songs.
As a solo artist, Yamagata has released three studio albums. Her debut album, Happenstance, was released in 2004. Even though it was her first album, it proved that she can successfully stand on her own. With slightly jazzy overtones and beautiful lyrics, the album got favorable reviews from listeners. After that, she gathered 25 of the 160 songs she had written and put them into an album. In 2008, she released Elephants…Teeth Sinking Into Heart, a single record in two parts. The two halves of the album, taken together, are darker and grittier than the previous album, depicting the complicated emotions of troubled relationships. Her most recent album, Chesapeake, was released this year. Unlike the unhappy songs of past records, this album is different in that it portrays happiness and optimism, along with hopefulness.
Yamagata usually eloquently describes broken and damaged relationships, but never slips into cheesy or silly territory. The lyrics are real and honest, but also elegant and poetic at the same time. She translates the feelings that we have all experienced so that her lyrics can connect with listener’s experiences and hearts. She seems to be enjoying herself by expressing her thoughts and feelings through music.
The distinctive characteristic of Rachael Yamagata’s music is that it is like a buffet-style with multiple dishes of various foods on a table. It is not monotonous; every track is unique in style. This is because Yamagata has tried to incorporate different genres of music such as soul, jazz, rock, and a little blues and has attempted a completely different music within her albums. Yet, her music is well-balanced.
With a cinematic quality, her music makes great background for movie scenes. The appearance of her songs on mass media was an opportunity for Yamagata to become well known in Korea. Rachael Yamagata’s music has been often compared to that of Norah Jones in that her husky voice and emotional lyrics remind listeners of bad breakups and romantic obsessions. However, Yamagata adds more piano to her sound, which is more soothing and relaxing. Her voice, a low, husky moan that adds a load of anguish to her songs goes well with a cup of bittersweet coffee. Still, her voice is wonderful, sweet, gentle, and soothing. It will be enjoyable to sit back and listen to Yamagata’s music. Listeners will be completely sucked into her voice, and it is an absolute pleasure hearing and seeing her perform live.
Yamagata continuously makes efforts to add spice to her music in order to become a better musician, and has her passion in her songs and career as a singer. Her gentle, earnest stage presence and her smooth and expressive voice entrance the listeners. Her well-crafted songs and a voice to die for are the factors that make Rachael Yamagata stand out from other artists.
Choi Jiyoung
jenchoi92@korea.ac.kr