I rarely get to review debut albums from budding artists but it so happens that one of the songs on Raina Randolph’s debut album, Naturally is currently nominated for a Posi Award. We’ll get to that in a minute.

I forget how energetic a 20 year old person can be. Where I would expect to hear two or three up tempo songs amid a sea of pensive ballads, Raina gives us an unstoppable romp of lively infectious pop tunes, slowing down only for a (possible) eulogy in Raindrops – ukulele and cello combine for a bitter sweet goodbye and the auto biographical “13” – a cross between Janis Ian’s At 17 and the Eagle’s Desperado. Not a bad comparison for a debut songwriter.

Raina also has an incredible emotional range as a singer. Helped along by Posi’s number one producer, Daniel Nahmod, her voice whispers and soars as she takes us with her on the journey.

Make no mistake, Naturally is a straight forward pop love song album. But not the “whiny victim love songs” you commonly hear on today’s pop radio. These are mature, sentiments based on a universal principle called love. But Raina manages to capture it in a young hip box spreading a philosophy too often lost on today’s youth – love is the most important thing. Love conquers all. No one is unlovable.

Which brings us to Don’t Let It Get to Me – one of 2014’s finalists in the best of the best of Posi Music – the emPower Posi Awards. Taking her place among a thin field of seasoned pros for the 10th Annual songwriting recognition, Don’t Let It Get to Me is a declaration of independence of sorts. Independence from worry about what others think. The independence of complete selfacceptance and selflove. I hope the young and older alike are listening Raina.

Song Peeks:

(You’re) Not the One – It’s “let’s just be friends” and “it’s not you, it’s me” tied up in a happy doowop rejection. This could easily have been a sad song, but Raina’s pretty OK with knowing and getting on with it.

Fairy Tales – melodic, heavy Jewel influence, but more contemporary ala Demi Lavato

Silly Phone Conversations – wonderfully captures the awkwardness of getting to know someone. Jump In – if you’re afraid, do it anyway.

Whale of a Tale – It says, this is a Bonus Track which I’ve come to learn means, “here’s something totally off the wall and different from the rest of the album. So don’t take it seriously, unless of course, you like it.”
I happen to LOVE
Whale of a Tale. Story telling is probably the toughest form of songwriting and Raina weaves a shanty worthy of any. It’s a great way to end this fun romp. I just wish it was a tad slower so we could soak in the clever lines before the next one comes along.