Album Review: Charlie Hilton's River of Valentines Feels Like Sauvie Island at Golden Hour
Briefly

River of Valentines is characterized by smooth soundscapes and emotional depth, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of summer days on the Columbia. Charlie Hilton's vocals are gentle and lullaby-esque, offering a contrast to her previous chillwave work. The album opens with "Exorcise," where Hilton expresses reluctance about diving into emotion, setting a theme of understated feelings. Other tracks like "Fiery Sunset of Kings" and "Machinery" reflect a blend of earnest desires and light-heartedness. Overall, the work flows cohesively, enchanting listeners with its evocative simplicity.
River of Valentines flows like a river, its sonic valentines aloof yet twinkling. Hilton's lo-fi ennui sometimes lulls but often dances across a deep well of feeling, all within a concise 28 minutes.
Following the opening track "Exorcise," "Fiery Sunset of Kings" has a spare glow, while "Machinery" picks up the pace with an uptempo list of desires.
Hilton's solo output is gentler, lullaby-esque. It's not the sticky fruit juice dripping; it's the cool water you use to wash it away.
In the track "Machinery," Hilton expresses a desire to hear various voices, passionately seeking understanding and connection with an earnest, yet light-hearted tone.
Read at Portland Mercury
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