“Light of the Dark” by Molly Conrad

Colder weather is on its way, so it’s time for the uptempo anthems of summer to make way for the slower and more melancholy sounds of autumn. If you’re looking for new music to ring in the season, Molly Conrad’s newest album is the perfect way to do it.

“Light of the Dark” is the third album from Buffalo-based singer-songwriter Molly Conrad. Originally from Iowa, Molly has made a name for herself in the past decade, having toured all across the country as well as parts of Germany and having the privilege of recording in Nashville at one point. She now graces the western New York music scene with her blend of a classic indie sound and eye-opening lyrics. 

Track Review

“Devin” opens up the album, introducing us to Molly’s soft yet sweet voice. The use of both acoustic and electric guitar stood out to me almost immediately as a unique technique that worked well. Even with the electric guitar added, the tone of the track still feels light and well-balanced, much like the rest of the tracks on the album. When listening to the chorus of the song, the lyrics “good ones still need praise” stuck out as unique to me; they felt straightforward but still poetic, and I really enjoyed that feeling. 

“You Don’t Look Like You’re Dying” was one of one of my favorite tracks on the album. It was overall well-produced and painfully beautiful. While I wish there were a few more elements added to flesh out some of the quieter parts, I think that the uncomplicated nature of the song allows for each element of the songs to shine. For instance, the chorus has a hollow ring to it, and I find it getting stuck in my head often. 

“Believe Me” is the only song out at the moment, written about a friend who is too far away from her. The relatable sense of longing conveyed in this song grabs the attention of the listener. I think this song will resonate with a lot of people, which is all any artist can really ask for, right?

“Light of the Dark” shows off the fingerpicking guitar technique that she’s known for, which was a great touch to add to the title track. The song has a great melody and classic singer-songwriter vibes, but the clever wordplay of the lyrics helps set it apart from the rest, which is a common theme across the entire album.

Verdict

Sticking out as a unique artist in the singer-songwriter sphere is an incredibly difficult task, especially if all you want to do is write pretty and sad music like Molly does. Still, her music has great potential, and I believe she really does stand out as different from others because of the overall quality of the music she makes. 

Molly’s soft voice allows the lyrics of her songs to resonate, which helps drive them home. Considering the carefully crafted nature of her lyrics, her blend of production and vocal techniques work very well to convey her messages through beautiful music. 

“Light of the Dark” will be out officially on October 15th, and I highly recommend all indie fans listen to it when it drops! This album will make a perfect backdrop for the coming fall season, and supporting your local music scene is important all year round.