Ally Bakst’s “Leaving Again” continues the New York City singer/songwriter’s remarkable emergence as a force in electro-pop music. Her work thus far stands as a bracing rebuke to the idea that such fare is inherently disposable by nature; “Leaving Again”, instead, wrestles with adult themes that are given an unusual voice in its electronic-driven package. It has a moody demeanor, never despairing, but scarcely exuberant. Bakst explores thorny emotions with this piece that deserves suitable backing and the arrangement for this new single fits the bill. Its rhythmic underpinning physically engages listeners while the electronic instrumentation flashes an enormous amount of style.
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The style is never overstated. Flashiness for the sake of flash alone isn’t what Bakst’s music is all about. There’s an underpinning of thoughtfulness running throughout the performance, and it’s a testament to her artistic temperament that she never allows this to dilute the song’s impact. The style creeps up in unexpected ways. You hear it in the flashes of electric piano laced throughout the arrangement, the well-timed use of post-production sound effects, and the intermittent use of double-tracked backing vocals scatting in response to Bakst’s lead.
It boasts an airy, almost effervescent arrangement distinguished by Bakst’s unusually soulful voice. She doesn’t have a classic-sounding timbre as a singer, her tone is a bit nasal, but she has undeniable power to move the listener with understated emotive skill. She navigates listeners through the track with the skill of a seasoned performer thanks to vocal phrasing that gets under the listener’s skin with each new listen.
The writing, like the music, shows no wasted motion. You won’t find any groping for words or unnecessary verbiage weighing down the performance. “Leaving Again” hits you as a musical and lyrical piece where the performer has a specific vision for what they want to achieve from the outset and doesn’t deviate from that goal.
The chorus is its unquestionable high point. It isn’t ever overwrought, but nonetheless brings the emotion implicit throughout the verses to a measured crescendo. Bakst understands how to infuse this moment with the right amount of added feeling without ever succumbing to empty histrionics. The transitions into the chorus and back into the main body of the song are artfully handled and sparkle with a genuine freshness.
Bakst has advanced several notches up the ladder in a short amount of time. Her varied talents outside of music, such as voiceovers, help inform her musical work with extra conviction. It sets her apart from the pack. “Leaving Again” has something to offer a host of potential listeners. Fans of pure pop will find it appealing because it has a wide and warm sound that embraces listeners. Electronic pop fans will likewise find a lot here as well. It sparkles with a daring approach to instrumentation without ever sounding too ostentatious.
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Those who embrace bedrock songwriting fundamentals will appreciate the single as well. It is a human and deeply felt musical experience. The construction of the song emphasizes that and never takes shortcuts. “Leaving Again” checks off all the appropriate boxes and bodes well for Ally Bakst’s future.
Garth Thomas