Depending on how you feel about the backstory and the Lhamo singing, this debut could be slow to love, but I think Doe Paoro will make you a believer of her talent.
Doe Paoro - Slow To Love (2012) – 6.3 / 10.0
Self-Released
Brooklyn artist Doe Paoro makes her debut with Slow To Love, a nine song album consisting of what Paoro refers to as “Ghost Soul”. Wait, what’s ghost soul? Well, Paoro explains it as a choir of ghosts who haven’t completely detached from the human experience. Okay, now I get it, Paoro’s from Brooklyn. Like other artists from Paoro’s hometown, she becomes wrapped up in the mystique of being overly artsy. While Brooklyn bands are also guilty of such behavior, female singers seem to fit the cliché more than any other. They feel the need to attach themselves to drama by having an origin story. Is an origin story present on Slow To Love? Uh…yeah.
Paoro’s singing style is different, moving from a strong, deeper register to shrill high pitches that some people may discern as grating and annoying. Merrill Garbus’ singing comes off in the same manner. While Garbus has never felt the need to explain her quirky style, Paoro’s unique mannerisms come from her study of Lhamo, a Tibetan style opera. And this is where the background story comes into play. Paoro discovered her voice in Lhamo while travelling through the Himalayas this past year. Studying the style led to silent meditation that honed her ability by reflecting on the space between silence and sound. Then in Justin Vernon fashion, Paoro isolated herself in a cabin upon returning to the US to craft her album.
Whether or not you buy into the story behind Slow To Love is your prerogative, my job is to review the music and let you know if it’s good. I will say that storied build-ups like the one for Slow To Love often work against the artist. Anyone could read about Paoro’s travels and studies before hearing her utter a single note and believe that they’re going to be subjected to the voice of God. However, as I said earlier, there’s nothing spiritually pleasant about Paoro’s singing. I still think it’s good though. Her use of Lhamo isn’t as prolific as you would believe. It’s most noticeable on the album’s second track “Born Whole”. Elsewhere, Paoro’s singing is mostly comparable to Florence Welch except I’ve never heard Welch use autotune like on the opening “Intro”. I guess Bon Iver-syndrome is contagious while working in cabins as it resembles “Woods” from the Blood Bank EP.
“Can’t Leave You” is an album highlight with its mildly distorted piano and Paoro’s ghostly cooing. “Body Games” is another strong track that deals with new lovers learning each other and the insecurities that arise. Slow To Love’s instrumentation is minimal with strings and dubstep beats. There’s a hip hop and R&B vibe to many of the songs, and Paoro possesses an Alicia Keys aura. The production behind Slow To Love is amazing, and a great respect is played to the clarity of Paoro’s voice, making it the most vital instrument rather than the accompanying pianos, strings, or beats.
Doe Paoro is a strong artist, and I feel her voice is special. She doesn’t need to attach herself to gimmicks though in order to attract listeners. Depending on how you feel about the backstory and the Lhamo singing, this debut could be slow to love, but I think Doe Paoro will make you a believer of her talent. Maybe her next album will form a faster bond.
Purchase: Doe Paoro - Slow To Love
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