‘Rain’ by NAMO [Saturday Morning Review]

NAMO is a Nashville-based collaborative project produced by Asher Peterson and made up of various local artists’ vocals and lyrics. They released their first EP at the beginning of this year, entitled Rain.

When I first listened to Rain, it reminded me of two of my favorites: Coldplay and Andrew Belle. I liked it instantly.

On vocals there are Asher’s brother and sister; Aedan Peterson and Skye Peterson, as well as, Olivia Mckaig, and Caleb Kuhlmann. And not only do they sing these songs, but they also wrote them.
In other words, this EP is a bunch of crazy-talented, creative people making music together.

I will be reviewing every one of the six tracks.

Rain

Move [feat. Skye Peterson] is the upbeat-opening track and Skye’s voice is sincere, sweet, and lovely. The lyrics, written by Skye herself, are a prayer, a struggle of both fighting and wanting what God is doing in her heart and life.

But you’re makin’ a move, makin’ a move in my heart…

The second track, March [feat. Caleb Kuhlmann and Skye Peterson], is delightfully electronic, and yet very chill. It’s one of my personal favorites on this EP both for lyrics and sound– and the sound is very Coldplay-esque.

It was March so we marched to the stars, made our hearts explode…

Rain [feat. Olivia Mckraig and Skye Peterson] is the third track and between Olivia and Skye on vocals, and the lyrics– this song is uncomplicated, beautiful, steady, and dare I say it feels like rain?

Why are you pushing me deeper into the waves?

It isn’t supposed to be this way.

The rain is falling down on me again, again,

The rain is falling down on me again, again…

The fourth track, Cage [feat. Aeden Peterson and Caleb Kuhlmann] has a more hip-hop sound, and the lyrics are full of feeling. It very well may be the best break-up song I have ever heard. It’s real, honest, sincere and emotional.

Won’t you keep me in a cage? I don’t wanna fly free.

I’m gonna build a wall– feel nothin’ at all…

Smile [feat. Aeden Peterson and Skye Peterson] is the fifth track and it’s another personal favorite. There is no harmony like that of siblings, really and truly. Aeden’s voice is very reminiscent of his dad, Andrew Peterson’s, voice in this song especially, and with Skye’s gorgeous voice on background vocals– it’s perfect. The lyrics are beautiful, heart-wrenchingly so.

You’re crying, love,

You’re crying, love,

You’re dying, love,

But I’ll cry with you, cry with you, I’ll die with you…

The sixth and last track is, Cold and it was composed by Asher. No lyrics, just sound. I listened to it on repeat and thought, not for the first time, about how everyone experiences music differently. It’s all subjective and personal. When I listened to this I thought I could hear the sea, wave after wave. And then I thought I heard rain on a window pane. It made me feel nostalgic. It’s a beautiful piece and I may or may not still have it on repeat as I type this.

Conclusion

I am so glad to have purchased this album– not only because I love their music, but because I know that it helps to support and fund these peeps being able to make more music like it.

If you haven’t heard this yet– check it out on Spotify, or just go buy it on Amazon or iTunes. It’s worth your time– trust me.

Allison Dye

Editor

Allison enjoys reading, writing, taking pictures, and listening to music. She is a lover of all things geeky and nerdy, and she hates writing about herself in the third person.