The aspiration and belief in miracles are familiar to many. Their search in the noise of the big world, among its endless temptations and alluring horizons, becomes a part of life. However, in this endless search, there is a risk of forgetting about the real miracles that are nearby but remain unnoticed. These are moments of tenderness, sincerity, joy from simple things – the smile of a loved one, warm memories of home, music that touches the soul. It is important to remember that true miracles are not always external. The true miracle is the ability to see beauty in ordinary moments and to enjoy them without expecting grand changes. And the young Madison Taylor in her debut album “Lady of Arbor Hill” perfectly captured the essence of what is most important in life – the ability to see miracles in everyday things. Madison calls herself the Lady of Arbor Hill, for her soul is akin to the Lady of Shalott, that tragic figure sung by Alfred Tennyson. Like the heroine of the poem, Madison Taylor is absorbed in art, but not in weaving like the Lady of Shalott, but in music.
Photo by @melissa.joy.media
Her hometown, in the rural area of New Jersey, is a place where magic reigns. Imagine five acres of land dotted with more than twenty arbors, each a piece of paradise. The garden created by Taylor’s parents was their own paradise on earth. Madison confesses, “I often think of that ancient garden, the place where we once experienced close intimacy with God.” The creation of the album was inspired by the desire to return to her original place, to that harmony where everything was created to enjoy the company of loved ones. And “Lady of Arbor Hill” conveys her nostalgia through songs about inner struggle and loss.
The album resembles one summer day from dawn and its morning freshness to sunset in the evening twilight. The release of 10 tracks begins with “Milk Chocolate,” its bright and carefree melodies blend with warm, optimistic rhythms of pop. The sounds of this song seem to lead through the paths of a blooming garden, carefully created by her parents. The music flows rhythmically, like a light breeze, and Taylor’s soft voice adds brightness. In my opinion, “Milk Chocolate” is one of the best tracks on the album. It reflects her love for nature and her romantic style in songwriting.
“Golden Image” continues this musical stroll through the ancient garden. Its rhythms, brass parts, and synthesizers remind of the morning flight of bees from one flower to another and the chirping of birds. And with the first chords of “German Statue,” the chaotic morning gives way to the midday languor in the shade of garden statues. The summer day gradually approaches sunset, and the melodies become darker in mood and slower in tempo. Thus, in “Violet’s Library,” I especially enjoyed the shimmering synthesizers at the end of the track, they added a juicy touch to the picture, which is already delightful to behold.
Madison’s vocals sound airy, they envelop and float somewhere above the melody, giving the whole song a sense of weightlessness. The instrumental “Nostalgic Interlude” with the smooth sound of keyboards and strings conducts an invisible path between the 1st and 2nd parts of the album. This connecting thin thread transitions into the coolness of the melodies of the “Waldeinsamkeit.” With its first chords, evening sets in, the music slows down, enveloping with soft darkness and tranquility.
Photo by @melissa.joy.media
Like the Lady of Shalott, Madison Taylor increasingly drowns in twilight, where light fades, and the heart becomes “melancholy from shadows.” Hypnotic melodies, the rhythm flows smoothly throughout the song in a captivating manner. Her voice, gentle with a slight rasp, adds charm to tаhe atmosphere. Yet, I would name “Paint Mine Blue” as my favorite.
This synthpop ballad is like emotional swings. On one side are rich percussions, and on the other are dark, anxious synthesizers. In “Paint Mine Blue,” sweet melodiousness meets gloomy vibrations. It turns out strangely, but wonderfully. With the grace with which Taylor conveys her poetic nature and unrestrained romantic expression, one cannot help but admire.
“Snow Kiss” resembles the kiss of the Snow Queen, enveloping in “gentle” cold, while the cinematic “Arbor Hill” stands out with the elegant sound of guitar, piano, and violins. The melodies and lyrics of the track reflect nostalgia for home, pain, and contemplation. The final composition “Hiraeth” is a mantra of cleansing, driving away dark thoughts and illuminating the paradise garden with bright sunlight.
“Lady of Arbor Hill” is a multi-genre musical poem about the beauty of everyday life, about nature and its silent grandeur. The album is abundant with images full of nostalgia and sensuality. In “Lady of Arbor Hill,” music and poetry merge into a musical bouquet, into an exciting symphony of joy and sadness. Madison Taylor, possessing her unique style, reminds us that true mastery lies not in the attempt to impress but in the ability to feel and convey.
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