Micah Dalton has a name for the sparkling acoustic sound of his new indie EP "Advancement." He calls it alt soul, the little brother to soul music. I call it beauteous.
You know from the first quiet acoustic beats of opener "Just Stay" that you're in for a treat, something fresh, and the free-flowing groove of Micah Dalton does not disappoint, from his soft Jack Johnson-like vocals to the popping bass line. His arrangements are creative, and his soulful vocals draw you in with their warmth and depth. The airy "Jet Lag" is one of my favorites, with its many facets of gospel (the choir-like background vocals and Ben Shive's simmering B3), soul (Dalton's achingly moving vocals) and alt rock (those vibrant guitars).
Rocker "Sharks Only Bite in the Water" manages to be both raw and soothing at once, not easily done. Its unique hooks, homegrown feel and biting vocals add to its power. The quietly lovely "Disappointed" stands out easily for its emotive delivery and poignant lyrics. The low-key second half includes "Moving Around," sparkling with acoustic honesty, and the aptly-named "Honestly Lion."
Ben Shive's swirling Wurlitzer under Dalton's warm vocals make closer "Umbrella" one of the most moving offerings on the EP. Micah Dalton shows incredible promise as an up and coming singer/songwriter; if you're looking for a innovative sound, delivered with authenticity and confidence, he's your go-to guy.
