Authenticity is hard to come by. In the digital age plagued with the idea of being perceived by your following as “perfect” (whatever that means), that genuine authenticity is few and far between.

 

Haley Joelle embodies that authenticity you have been searching for in all she does, is, and creates.

 

We’ve now had a week to take in, experience, and internalize Haley’s sophomore album “Me and My Past”. This project is like the ocean in every way - refreshing and chilling as it showcases feelings and situations that aren’t often portrayed in art, nevermind in such a beautiful manner. It’s all-consuming; it’s transportive and brings you to an entirely different place that feels like when a wave washes over your body - basking in the sun on a warm day down the shore one minute and pulling you beneath its surface the next.

 

It ebbs and flows; it’s honest; and it’s reflective. It's life. Even if you aren’t familiar with Haley’s work, you get a pretty good idea of what you’re in store for right from track one’s introduction: “let me start at the beginning so you know what you’ll be getting”. Haley takes us on a real and brave journey without any sugar coating in a very successful attempt to let the audience have a glimpse into her life. With this album, she wanted to showcase more than relationship struggles that were a focal point of her debut longform project; she reaches into the depths of her soul and shows us the reality of handling grief, family dynamics, and scary and real situations that people go through on a daily basis in a (once again, very successful) attempt to help her audience feel less alone if they have similar experiences.

 

Life isn’t perfect, and it’s refreshing to see that portrayed in art. I’m all for escapism through the media we consume, but feeling seen and heard about things that I’ve struggled with for years and have pushed deep down in an attempt to suppress is freeing. This album is like opening up a poorly tended wound to finally heal it correctly - painful as you share in and come to terms with these situations and feelings but you ultimately make true progress towards handling them well. So, yeah, life isn’t perfect, but I’m pretty convinced this album is as it helps Haley’s audience connect and feel seen while also showcasing some of the best songwriting and production I’ve had the honor of delving into. To just sit here and tell you to listen to “Me and My Past” is honestly a disservice. If I could, I’d shout about it to each of you personally, or even pull a U2 circa 2014 and plant it onto your phone so it’s staring at you in the face. Immerse yourself in this journey of self reflection, reopen and heal the wounds.

 

In a world where authenticity is hard to come by, Haley Joelle makes it look easy.

 

Listen to “Me and My Past” by Haley Joelle now wherever you stream music.

Check out Haley on tour this December and February!

 

By Amanda Kolar

@amanda_kolar