A good duet, in our modern age, is a rare thing. There are plenty of features, guest verses and co-writes, and the cameo drop-in is a dime a dozen. The number of genuine duets, where vocalists share verses and tell a story together in the space of a song, is very small. If your optimism fails you, as you wonder whether there are enough great acts to keep hit radio stocked with worthy pop music duets, it’s reassuring to find that Natalie Jean and Levi Moore have a first-rate single to carry us through the next few months, all by itself.
The track “The Letting Go” was written Michael Peloso and Natalie Jean. If there’s a track that’s going to revive your interest in indie Country-Pop this year, it’s this one — largely due to its willingness to smash the tropes that’ve stagnated the genres.
Natalie Jean and Levi Moore spend time going into deeper, darker, and introspective places, as they discover how it feels when you stop chasing dead romance and start letting your life happen. Natalie is full of girl-next-door charm and her music is written and sung from the heart, full of emotion and passion. It amazes me how she always speaks the language of the ordinary person. In her songs, she says everything we want to say but can’t or don’t. Maybe that’s why so many people gravitate towards her.
This track is a great addition to both the country and pop music world. It has a dexterity and willingness to take shape at each turn, whirling you in a spell of great sound. Aurally it is stellar, holding validity within each vocal delivery. “The Letting Go” is a beautiful song about love and life.
Everyone has messed up in love. Everyone, to one point or another, is haunted by their past, and we all long for happiness within ourselves. Natalie Jean and Levi Moore take on the roles of compassionate narrators who make you believe in yourself again. It’s a little sad, but an encouraging song that lets you know that letting go is the only way to free yourself from the past’s hurtful chains.
Both singers do a great job at creating a sincere but uplifting mood and atmosphere. There’s also plenty that show’s Natalie’s evolving style here. She is clearly experimenting, which makes sense as her wider range of emotions require a music that matches the words.
Throughout, she always maintains the honesty that won her original following. This clearly shows Natalie’s progression as a writer and artist. To say I’m impressed would be a gross understatement. The substance and maturity of the song, and her stunningly nuanced vocal performance is what strikes me more than anything.
“The Letting Go” sounds like Natalie Jean’s truest accomplishment yet, together with co-writer Michael Peloso they find that chord in a lyric, and hook that strikes a universal note, and pair it to a most grounded and gorgeous, effortless sounding arrangement.
An arrangement that stretches Natalie’s usual musical boundaries, as I don’t remember her doing anything as country-inclined before. Of course it has to be said that Levi Moore’s assertive baritone lends a rich and resonant voice to the track’s all-round authenticity.
“The Letting Go” firmly plants Natalie Jean in the fertile ground between Pop and Country, and her marriage of the two is effortless and thrilling. This impeccably crafted melody reminds you that a truly talented artist like Natalie Jean can be held to a high standard and still exceed expectations.
The fact that she keeps great musical company – in this case Levi Moore and Michael Peloso – has also become a dominating factor in galvanizing her artistic growth.
CREDITS:
NATALIE JEAN: WEBSITE – FACEBOOK – TWITTER – INSTAGRAM – Natalie Jean is an award winning, multi-nominated singer/songwriter performer. She is also a Voting Member in the Recording Academy (GRAMMYS). Natalie Jean is a versatile performer and singer. She sings many genres, such as Jazz Pop, R&B, Blues, and Dance. She can also sing in French, Spanish, English, and Creole.
LEVI MOORE: WEBSITE – Levi Moore, is a country singer/songwriter out of Savannah, GA. Nominated for Male Vocalist of The Year in Modern Country at the 2017 Josie Music Awards Levi is a full-time musician, currently into his third successful year.
MICHALE PELOSO: WEBSITE – Michael Peloso is a New Jersey-based lyricist/songwriter who writes touching, honest lyrics with a sense of simplicity that are uniquely all his own. He began writing at the tender age of 10. “I remember buying REO Speedwagon’s Hi-Infidelity, and was just floored by the words and music,” Michael says.
