Album Review: Phoebe Katis – 'It’s Ok To Cry'
London-based singer songwriter Phoebe Katis releases stunning second album ‘It’s Ok To Cry’ – an uplifting piece of music that sounds like sunshine, rainbows and butterflies in from of expressive soul-pop.
‘It’s Ok To Cry’ covers a range of soundscapes from the feel-good grooves of title track ‘It’s Ok To Cry’ over reggae-infused ‘Placebo’ to serene orchestral number ‘Sometimes it’s meant to hurt’. Effortlessly dancing from track to track, stretching and bending with their changing moods are Phoebe’s extremely emotive vocals that smooth over past hurts like a soothing balm and give the album an overwhelming sense of hope.
Standout moment is emotional piano ballad ‘Let Me Lose You’, the only track on the album that does not have a silver lining, no immediate happy ending. Wrapped into goose bumps inducing melodies Phoebe showcases her heartbreakingly beautiful lyricism and skill to create a safe haven within her music - “Let me lose you. In my own time, in my own way, I promise I’ll let you go […] Maybe tomorrow just not today. I promise I’ll be the first to go.”
On writing the album, Phoebe explains: “We live in a world where the role of emotion is one of instability, vulnerability, and chaos. ‘Man up!’ and ‘Don’t get so emotional!’ are heard all too often in our colloquial western culture, and the suppression of emotion, both negative and positive (don’t be too excited, play it cool!) is something many of us will know about all too well. This album is a comment on the social conventions around how we feel and how we express ourselves in an age that is focused on perfection, discipline, and tough love.”
Words by Laura Freyaldenhoven