Robert Ivory - Stranded (EP)
Vulnerability and expressiveness of a human in everyday life is a daunting task in itself, and it only doubles down for a music artist when transmitting those same emotions to a larger audience of ears hearing the openness and truth. It becomes a strenuous realization to welcome any judgement and accepting the potential criticism that comes to not only the real-life experiences but also the music. On “Stranded”, the debut EP of Cleveland native, Robert Ivory, takes a leap of faith in a valiant and admiring effort, fueled by passion to introduce himself as a singer and song-writer through a poetic and sterling audio representation of his young and ambitious mind within the realm of music.
Robert Ivory does a swell job on crafting a transparent and comprehensible R&B project to coincide with the writing he is conveying on this project. The opening track, “Going After April” not only sets the tone, but immediately demonstrates the firm grasp and sense the singer has for a love-driven R&B track. The song carries a delightful balladry feel with a pleasing pulse of empathy within the writing of this song. At the same time, it’s impossible not to get immersed in the delivery and harmonizing vocals Robert exemplifies and the flow in which he delivers them in. “Where Have You” and “Live and Learn” are 2 tracks that immediately come to mind. There is a way in which the vocals breathe lively in these songs. Not only are they overly pleasing but also bode well for the ambitious artist in assisting distinguish him to a unique and recognizable voice.
When listening to this EP, you can get a feel on the focus and self-challenge Robert set forth himself for this project. And that’s through the writing. There are a lot of moments of conveying deep thoughts on this project, and those moments are positively detected on songs where we hear him be honest and candid about himself and his life hurdles. It’s midway through of the EP that I feel Robert pours out a weighty portion of his impediments. Is It Real provides a nice alternative tune that relies on the clean and crisp pluck of an acoustic guitar that hears Robert question whether his real-life problems are permanent, means of temporary stress or unnecessary self-created anxiety. Between the use of marijuana for a form of escape and the admittance of needing to be connected to his phone at all times, there is a melancholy effect on this track with a compulsive draw in the way Robert let’s his harmonizing vocals float to capture his feelings and effects they take on his mentality. The track “Crossroads” peels the curtains completely back and reveals Robert’s version of resolution towards judgement and other struggles. On a track that is soundly stripped down to acoustic finger picking and tender keys sprinkled throughout, the bittersweet truth in the way the singer handles these hurdles is by almost paying no attention to them and instead turning away from them. Which to a sense works, but only for the time being and only delaying them for an eventual return. The gloomy tone on this track develops an inevitable and palpable feeling of anxiety from the weight of stress the young Robert Ivory carries.
In a project created in the isolated space of a bedroom, Robert Ivory pulls from within his young and aspiring soul to attain the ears of a listener and connect with relatable concepts and views. “Stranded” is dreamy atmospheric ascension built off the fear of failing but with all the faith in his heart to try and make it.