Lexie Carroll - 'Evelyn'
London singer-songwriter Lexie Carroll shares her new folk-pop single, “Evelyn,” sure to warm the hearts of any listener.
The inspiration behind “Evelyn” came from Carroll’s love of the name, but her writing process stretched the song further into a story about a loved one going down a treacherous life path. The lyrics to “Evelyn” are imbued with heartfelt sentiments and pleas of longing and understanding, as seen in: “Oh, anything/To let me know you’re there/Just let me know you’re trying.” Carroll’s endearing love for this fictional character shines through her writing and artistry, very much evident in this new composition. Her songwriting shows her thoughtful and devoted nature.
The indie folk influences in “Evelyn” are akin to the arrangements and harmonies of Bon Iver. Carroll’s vocals are quite reminiscent of indie folk musician Heka, too, serenading with a softness and a bittersweet melancholy, paired together with sweeping strings and mellow, laid-back guitar. Her vocals have interesting delay and echo, creating a beautiful – almost haunting – faltering sound. There’s a sonic movement that flows through her voice, bringing out the mellifluous musical flow of the song. “Evelyn” could almost be a pop song, but it’s more stripped back with a gentler rhythm; more similar to those aforementioned indie folk influences than traditional pop.
In the bridge section, when Carroll sings, “Oh, Evelyn/Aren’t you tired yet/Oh, I’m waiting for you” with only sweet guitar plucks playing in the background, it feels as if the song is holding its breath. Then, the strings start to fade in, gaining momentum once more, pulling at tender hearstrings, signifying the hero’s journey – Evelyn’s journey – is nearly complete. The track begins to open up again with Carroll’s soothing voice pushing it forward; the accompanying instruments sending “Evelyn” forward to its ultimate completion. Hopeful backing vocals of a choir of ‘oh’s’ come in and carry out the song to the end, serving as a wistful finale to this heart-wrenching melody.
The production and mastering by Jack Hardman and Kevin Tuffy (Bandcamp, 2024), respectively, with Carroll’s touching lyrics, angelic voice, and honeyed instruments has created a piece of music that will move anyone who listens. Carroll has written a letter of yearning to an imaginary love in “Evelyn,” showcasing her growing talent as an upcoming singer-songwriter in the London music scene.
Listen to Lexie Carroll’s “Evelyn” on your favourite streaming platform now, and be sure to catch her at a number of shows in the UK this April.
Words by Sydney Kaster
