By Christopher Demarcus (Contributor) – Email
Print Edition: September 11, 2013
Luca Fogale’s debut EP delivers a gentle yet powerful set of songs that highlight wisdom beyond his young age of 22.
When I clicked over to his Bandcamp site for a first listen, I was expecting your typical BC coffee shop amateur with some semi-polished tunes. I was wrong.
I listened to his first track “The Way We Are” five times in a row. Themes of truth and honesty cascaded throughout the track. The hook of the tune wasn’t what kept me on repeat; the sincerity and complexity of Fogale’s lyrics are what motivated me to listen again and again.
I was afraid the second track might disappoint. But it didn’t. I was hooked on his authenticity from start to finish.
The pristine recording quality makes it apparent that Fogale takes his work seriously. His smooth voice is better than most, but it’s the pairing of quality singing and deep—yet still relatable—lyrics that make this EP a treat.
The third track, “An Education,” rides a perfect balance between melancholy and hope. The lyrics capture the cycle of life, a tale of learning and loss.
It’s the title track that completely pulls the listener into Fogale’s journey. Focused and driving guitar arpeggios create a steady melody as the vocals sweep against a light background drum beat. Fogale seems to be looking for what path to follow and takes us along. Within his internal conflict we are brought into a telling convergence of loss and drive.
Paths ends with “Identity Theft,” its best and moodiest track. There is a divergence as the tone shifts to a darker, more bluesy vibe. More demanding than the rest, this song leaves us to wander off the sonic trail. The end of Paths feels like the middle, leaving the listener wondering what and when this local artist is going to deliver next.
My only complaint about Paths is that it’s an EP. Fogale needs to pick up where he stopped and carry us further down the road. Until then, I’ll have to keep “They Way We Are” and “Identity Theft” at the top of my playlist.
Like the other 20 winners from 102.7 Peak Performance Project, Fogale has a talented voice, top-notch playing skills, and a knack for songwriting. What makes him the cream of the crop is his ability to reach out and emotionally touch the listener with a soft, classically romantic energy.
Luca Fogale could easily cross over into blues, alt country, or even rock. This collection of songs highlights the complexity of his talent, but keeps everything in the realm of accessibility. Balance is a key element at work here. The tracks on Paths are charismatic stories bundled with distinct local character and openness. Isn’t that what great folk music is all about?
