"LEGEND" By Andy Smith Ft. Emily E. Finke

By Mariam Jibril

Particularly in its composition is how much we are captured by the song “Legends.” With each revealing measure, we appreciate the craftsmanship behind the composition to a great degree. We are taken by the various coordinates we are taken to in the mind’s eye as we partake in the periphery. The various mental landscapes transport us, encapsulated in architecture involving large, gold-plated structures along with cities immersed in golden light. The sound is gentle, and the entire song is slowly released in great repose. One feels the song was meant to be enjoyed during long drives, meditation, or sleep, as the song articulates of great distance and mirrors the theme of distance. The composition is sublime yet earthy, striking the right balance between authenticity and elegance.

Exploring time and memory, and telling vignettes that evolve, are the pillars of appreciation. “Legends” takes the listeners through with gentle acoustic bliss and soft vocals. "Legends" turning to myth have a sentimental touch, bringing attention to the distance and time that causes a charade of faded love and truth. “Crossing mountains of gold” and “chasing cities of light” serve to emphasize the difference, giving a sense of fantastical realism and a poetic touch to the expedition. Desire, perseverance, and the difference between reality and a mirage. Heartfelt and precise, yet abstract enough to encompass the listener's individuality.

“Legends” greatest strength is the masterful interplay of the two performers. Andy Smith is a vocalist, musician, and a five-time award recipient with decades of experience. He boasts the kind of indie-rock sensibility that comes from the UK and the South Australian region. He boasts an impressive discography, including three publications, "Rock ’n’ Roll Goal" and "The Equidistant Years," as well as an ISSA award-winning hit, “I Want To Take You Far.” He shares a talent for arranging pieces that are distinct as one, and through the lane of storytelling, he achieves melodic clarity. This is then followed up by Emily E. Finke, sole performer and author of the second half of the track. Her style is characterized by rich, warm, and deep emotion. While the majority of the work in the track is done independently and from a distance, their union of voices is a masterpiece, the result of boundless creativity and flawless production.

The crisp precision and detail of the production. Flagged for its clarity. Its atmosphere and its tapestry of sound. Remote collaborations spanning the US and Australia. What truly sets "Legends" apart are the finely crafted layers of sound and the mastery of its textures. These carefully shaped textures of sound serve to reflect the ideas embedded at the core of the album - the concepts of migration and metamorphosis. With the harmonic transpositions and the swells of the instrumentals cradling each of the longitudinally distinct vocals, the production stirs and moves. With both Atlanta-based artists now recording together, the integration of their vocals lends the piece performance and production of utmost authenticity. The resonance and the emotionality of the performance might have soured had distance recording intermingled their voices.

Within the indie genre, there are fewer and fewer songwriters and composers as vertically and horizontally collaborative as these two. They capsule within the album, light and space, story and artistry, oceans apart, "Legends" is a piece of art. Without a doubt, it will remain a cherished listening experience. It's a compelling piece that stirs and evokes a plethora of emotions, rather than a simplistic, catchy hook that will remain wedged within your consciousness. "Legends" is a cross-regional collaboration that cinematizes the story it tells, shining a light on the crafted layers of sound and atmospheric storytelling within the composition. It's art from start to finish, crafted with both depth and consummate beauty. A must on your playlist, the track is now available on all streaming platforms.