MUSIC ANALYSIS #2 "Just Like Leaving"

 


Released on September 25th, 2020 in Canada, "Just Like Leaving" by Bella White is a bluegrass Americana song that captures the heartache and bittersweet moments of relationships and being able to move on. This has been one of my favorite songs the last couple of years and it has introduced me to more twangy music.

The song follows a slow beat with a 3/4 time signature. This beat gives the song a more gentle, swaying sound that raises the listeners experience. It also allows for Bella White to fully draw out her words, which in turn adds more emotion to the song. The lingering sound gives listeners the space to connect deeply with the song's melancholy theme.

The timbre of "Just Like Leaving" is warm and natural, featuring acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and upright bass. Bella White's fingerpicking creates a detailed base for the rhythm of the song, while the fiddle adds an endearing touch. The mandolin brings bright accents that help lift up the song's sader moments. This simple acoustic setup gives the track a genuine, traditional bluegrass feel allowing for the vocals to really shine. 

Bella White's vocal range captures the essence of a twangy style, moving mostly within a mid to high range. Her voice has a distinct, sharp edge that brings out the song's emotional storytelling. This twang, adds depth and authenticity, making each word feel raw and heartfelt. 

The dynamics shift a lot throughout the song. It starts off soft, with Bella's gentle voice and guitar picking creating an intimate sound. Her vocals become stronger and more expressive as the song plays on. Along with the vocals, the instruments also grow more prominent. This contrast between the softer verses and more intense choruses showcases the emotion from her past.


Bella White's lyrics touch on feelings of longing, uncertainty, and the sense of being left behind by things we can't control, like money or other people. The song also looks at how we sometimes try to run away from ourselves, asking if leaving really helps or if it’s just a way to escape. The song was inspired by her move from Western Canada to Boston, where she wonders if she left too quickly. This discomfort that she feels makes the song relatable to the audience.

Bella White has proven herself to be "authentic, genuine & wholesome in the truest sense of the Americana genre" (Apice 1), as her music allows us to "feel White’s exquisite pain, her brimful sorrow, her tenacious joy in her lonesome, affecting vocals...which ride over lilting bluegrass musical foundations" (Carrigan 1).






Citations

Jones, John B. “Review: Bella White ‘Just Like Leaving’ Is Authentic, Genuine, and        Wholesome.” Americana Highways, 21 Sept. 2020, https://americanahighways.org/2020/09/21/review-bella-white-just-like-leaving-is-authentic-genuine-and-wholesome/.

Horowitz, Henry Carrigan. “Album Review: Bella White, ‘Just Like Leaving.’” Folk Alley, 28 Sept. 2020, https://folkalley.com/album-review-bella-white-just-like-leaving/.



Comments

  1. Mackenzie TaskerOctober 7, 2024 at 7:56 PM

    Hi Ryder! I have never heard of this song before and I'm so glad that you shared it because it is so beautiful! I really love the slow and beautiful warmness of the guitar. It makes the song feel super warming and peaceful, it speeds up a little but still holds that peacefulness and calmness.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Garrett TaylorOctober 9, 2024 at 1:04 PM

    I love twangy music and I will definitely be adding this to my list of songs. I don't know what it is but the way some artists make their voice yodel a bit scratches a part of brain that I enjoy. As soon as the instrumentals started, I was already tapping my feet and and continued throughout the song. One of the songs that this song instantly reminded me of is "Stay in Your Lane" by Bronson's Diamond and Greta Stanley. Greta's lines really remind me of Bella White and I recommend you check Greta out.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Eva October 13, 2024 at 12:46 AM

    Hey Ryder, I've never really listened to bluegrass before, but now I'm thinking I'm going to need to get into it! I am big into keeping traditional music alive in modern times and I think this piece does that quite well. I agree with you on her vocals, her voice is amazingly soothing but keeps the rawness known to the genre.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A little bit about me

Image
Hey everyone! My name is Ryder Skaaren, and I am looking forward to learn more about you all as this semester progresses. I grew up in the small town of Hope, Alaska and am now entering my second year of college here at UAF. I like to spend my free time playing tennis and disc golf while soaking up the sun. My current goal is to graduate with a civil engineering degree to focus on the design of road systems.  Picture from my hometown I developed a love for music at a very young age when listening to Munford and Sons with my dad. I listened to a lot of folk music when I was young and then slowly switched to mainly listening to alternative and rock music. As of recently, I listen to music in all genres and am trying to experiment with new tastes that I am not accustomed to. I never learned to play an instrument, but have always wanted to learn to play the piano. I hope to learn as much as I can this semester and continue to develop my love for music! Here are some of my favorite songs ov
Read more

MUSIC ANALYSIS #1 "AMERICAN PIE"

Image
"American Pie," released in 1971 by Don McLean, is a folk rock classic that captures the American culture of the 1950s and 1960s. Growing up, my dad and I would listen to this song on road trips we took together, enjoying its great storytelling, so it holds a special place in my heart.  "American Pie" primarily follows a moderate tempo in 4/4 time, which gives it a steady and flowing feel. The song combines elements of folk and rock,  featuring a mix of acoustic guitar, piano, and drums that provide a consistent beat throughout the song. It starts slower and more reflective during the intro and verses, with a folk-like pace. However, the tempo picks up significantly in the chorus, giving it a more lively, rock feel. This fluctuation between slower verses and faster, energetic choruses displays innovation for its time.  Along with the tempo, the timbre is constantly changing. The vocals shift from soft in the verses to heavy throughout the chorus. The guitar gives of
Read more

Take a Musical Trip: Traditional Norwegian Folk

Image
I’ve always enjoyed American folk music, and since a lot of my families heritage is from Norway, I decided to explore traditional Norwegian music. Norway's traditional folk displays the unique culture and daily lives of its people. Discovering this personal side of Norway has given me a new appreciation for this culture.  Traditional Norwegian music has been around for hundreds of years, but there is not very much written works from before the 1840s. The music includes folk dances like Bygdeand that are often performed in ceremonial settings, showcasing couple routines. The dance melodies typically use three-beat or two-beat rhythms, which are tied to weddings, funerals, and festivities such as Christmas. These traditional dances generally lasted longer in more rural farm communities where it was pasted on throughout generations.  This music is primarily categorized into North Germanic and Sami styles. North Germanic music is typically ballads known as kvad. Ballads are generally s
Read more