This Storm (Bonus Track Version)

iTunes Review

At just 19 years old, Sonya Kitchell already has the sound of a weathered veteran, and the Northampton, Massachusetts native’s second album, 2008’s This Storm, continues her growth as an recording artist. Recorded with producer Malcolm Burn (Emmylou Harris, Peter Gabriel) at his upstate NY studio, the album possesses both a down to earth honest charm and a hypercharged pop veneer that brings extra life to the propulsive groove pushing “Borderline,” an extra sass to the sashaying rhythm driving the country-inflected “Running,” and a juke-joint toughness to “Here to There.” “Walk Away” offers up her less adorned piano ballad side, “Soldier’s Lament’ is gripping acoustic folk, while Burn twists the “pop” knob on “For Every Drop” and gives it an extra blues turn for “Fire.” Most stunning and impressive, however, is Kitchell’s voice, filled with a confidence, assurance, and knowing well beyond her years. This is no child peeking into a world of wonder, but a fully formed talent expressing herself with the seductive purr of an experienced soul singer.