Tori Kelly

As a music blogger, I feel that fundamentally, my job is to shed light on artists that are not massively well-known and to help give them the recognition they deserve.
As you can see from the title, this blog post will shed some light on Tori Kelly, the Californian beauty with an equally beautiful voice.
She recently came onto my radar, after listening to Professor Green's newest musical offering 'Lullaby' (released today) in which Tori features. Tori's vocals on the chorus, divide the track, providing the perfect contrast to Professor Green's, monotone yet surprisingly raw rapping. Professor Green has released many collaborative tracks, 'Just Be Good To Green' ft Lily Allen; 'Monster' ft Example and 'Remedy' ft Ruth-Anne Cunningham, each showing a more light-hearted and humorous side to Professor Green. However, 'Read All About It' ft Emeli Sande, saw a much more heartfelt and emotional side to his album, which in reward, gave him his most notable collaboration to date. 'Lullaby' parallels 'Read All About In' in numerous ways, which is why I am predicting the same success for this track, and also for Tori Kelly.



In terms of her solo career, it definitely hasn't been a smooth ride!  Despite auditioning for numerous musical talent shows, such as: 'Star Search', 'America's Most Talented Kids' and the infamous 'American Idol," it was her Youtube channel which finally gained her the recognition that she deserved. Ironically it was actually her collaborative cover with fellow Youtuber 'AngieGirl', of Frank Ocean's 'Thinkin Bout You' which has an impressive 20, 732,401 views (and counting!), that led me to discover some of her newer work. (i.e. the obsession began.)


After only half an hour of scouring her Youtube channel, I had decided upon my top 5 favourite songs.

The number 5 spot belongs to another of her Youtube covers, the faultless acoustic cover of Justin Timerlake's 'Suit & Tie' with it's effortless high notes and run's, sees Kelly perform a cover, that unlike many others, is worthy of the original.

'
Paper Hearts' taken from her EP, 'Foreword', is in at number 4. Personally, I found the meaning of this song, quite hard to describe so I scoured the internet and voila! I found this quote from Tori herself on 'http://www.musicinsideu.com/2014/02/paper-hearts-tori-kelly.html' : "When you're searching and hoping for love, the right person isn't always the first one you come across... That's why you don't fall head over heels right away. You wait, you see. Because the hate only comes if you have to take back things you should never have given away in the first place. Hopefully, if it wasn't meant to be, you'll be able to part ways as friends. The memories will be bittersweet, but still worth hanging on to." Meaning suitably covered, both the melodies and harmonies are beautifully arranged throughout the track and the accompanying musically video has been cleverly directed. Taking an almost split-stage approach, Tori is seen reminiscing over photos and her previous relationship, whilst her love interest is seen miming (incredibly, I hasten to add!)  to the lyrics of the song, similarly to Ed Sheeran's- You Need Me, I Don't Need You video.


As if her beautiful voice and looks weren't enough, she is also an exceedingly charitable person. Teaming up with ConAgra Foods and Feeding America, Tori released a single called 'Fill a Heart' which she wrote for the "Child Hunger Ends Here" Performing at 8 different venues across the U.S for her 'Fill A Heart Tour', she also helped out at food banks during the day. This song most definitely secures the number 3 spot, a beautifully written song, executed completely faultlessly for a worthy cause. In addition, the lower vocals and harmonies at the end of the first verse, leading up to the first chorus, are those which are very pleasing on the ear. Is it just me that gets that? There are some notes that artists hit that make you just think Y E S.


Runner-up goes to 'All In My Head' a track off of her 2012 EP: 'Handmade Songs by Tori Kelly'. The Youtube video linked above, is as you will see, the live acoustic version of the track. Now personally, I believe that this version trumps the original. The simplicity of just Tori's vocals and her acoustic guitar, really put the focus on both, the rawness of Tori's voice and the lyrics of the song, rather than the production behind it. The meaning behind the song is another one of those 'self-explanatory title' ones. The reason that this song is a favourite of mine, is simply down to the fact that like Sam Smith lyrics, they are so scarily accurate and relatable!
It's one of those songs where you're just like, "Omg THIS." (preaching hands emoji.. I know you know the one.)


And taking the crown, is the PHENOMENAL 'Dear No-One'. To give y'all some meaning behind the song, it's very much about being okay with just being by yourself, and not being in a relationship/relying on someone else. However it's also about the acceptance that the right person is out there somewhere and eventually you'll come together. Simply put- soulmates. Similarly to 'Paper Hearts' this song was taken off of her EP 'Foreword'. Accompanied by her acoustic guitar, she effortlessly moves from the high notes in the verse to the lower notes of the chorus. However unlike most of her other tracks, there is a underlying beat which gives this song more of a urban/pop feel.