Fans and friends gathered at New York City's Slipper Room to celebrate the release of one of the year's standout albums, Rose Paradise's debut LP ‘Over the Hill.’
A spotlight shines on a real-life siren: her wavy hair flows, draped in a crochet poncho and embellished with felt flowers. Her melodic tones and powerful vocal range pull us in. It's no surprise that fans refer to Rose Paradise as a mermaid; she embodies a unique lifestyle cultivated back on the West Coast. Despite our location on the Lower East Side, in a venue reminiscent of 1700s England, there's a distinct essence of Northern California in the atmosphere.
The night kicks off with the track “Tangerine,” which we discussed last June for its bittersweet insights and captivating melody. Like all of Paradise's work, it reflects the folk revival era of the '60s, blending vintage influences with a contemporary sensibility.
“The cliff’s gonna have to come down one day, everything will erode away. Like the moon it waxes, the moon it wanes. Everything has got to change.”
The audience is enthralled by the simple image of Rose and her guitar. Then, the second verse begins. The curtain rises. An eight-member folk band steps forward – featuring slide guitar and grounded backup vocals. A moment of chills follows.
For Paradise, her delicate surfing town serves as the ultimate muse. It's so integral to her that she persuaded her band to travel across the country last summer to record in her home studio.
The ambiance of this release party is flawless – above, representations of her hometown’s moon and stars drape on strings, a nod to the puppet-themed music video for her latest release.
One of the album's most infectious tracks, “Grey,” is an upbeat tune about a melancholic boy. Clearly, Paradise excels at composing danceable music about serious themes.
As she shares the backstories of her songs, I recall my first encounter with her at Rockwood Music Hall, where she recounted the inspiration behind her single “Set Wave.” The song, about catching a wave, had a melody that came to her while she was floating on her longboard. Resolute not to forget it, she repeated the tune until she reached the shore.
“And I’ll wait for the set wave. I’ll wait for the big one. I’ll wait until it’s over to tell you I’m in love. And I’ll wait for you to come around.”
Paradise's songwriting is exceptional. Her melodies linger, and her lyrics encourage emotional depth. However, it’s her vocal range that stands out first—one of my favorite moments at any Rose Paradise concert is when she unleashes her distinctive guttural roar, revealing a sound unlike any other.
In New York's indie music scene, there’s a feeling that our friends will rise to stardom one day. Yet, no one seems more destined for it than Rose Paradise. With a name like that, it’s clear her parents had foresight.
Independently released on April 8, *Over the Hill* is filled with hits from start to finish. The album, comprising 12 tracks across two coasts, takes listeners on a journey through today’s Americana. Some songs inspire you to kick off your boots and dance in the grass, while others, like "Now That You Know," resonate with a fierce sense of injustice. The melodies are vivid and visceral, and the lyrics are rich and insightful.
When Rose sings, you can visualize her words gently falling from her lips. Audiences don’t merely listen; they inhale her lyrics. Folk music hasn’t felt this euphoric since Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.
If you haven't experienced it yet, it's time to stop and immerse yourself in the sounds of Rose. (Her next show is scheduled for May 20th at Ray's.)
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:: Stream/purchase *Over the Hill* here ::
:: Connect with Rose Paradise here ::
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© Hellen Elizondo
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Fans and friends came together at New York City’s Slipper Room to commemorate the launch of Rose Paradise’s debut album ‘Over the Hill,’ which is considered one of the best albums of the year.