Golden Mixtape

Everyone has a crush on someone in the entertainment world, be it an actor, athlete or musician. Throughout high school and most of my adulthood I regarded Quinn Allman from The Used as the perfect man. My heart has since relinquished those feelings and in my delusional mind I just gave him up to a woman who stood out as unique among a cast of singing hopefuls on American Idol. Megan Joy was the season that had Kris Allen and Adam Lambert, and while she didn’t win…She is one of three I remember off the top of my head from that season. It might have something to do with her bird calls during “Rockin’ Robin,” but you won’t find that nature sound on her self-titled album.

“Longing” and “Two Rivers” weren’t necessarily the ones I’d choose to hear over and over again. They fell short compared to some of the other tracks that were more soulful and upbeat, so we’ll get to those…

“What Is Love” seemed like a lost Adele track when it came to the lyrics, but with a livelier mask. This one played like a kind of anti-love song. It’s one that questions the mainstream idea of the word and feeling. It seemed odd since she worked with her husband (my former love) on the record. Then I had to remember that he comes from the rock world where love is on the table to be torn apart like a Dexter victim.

While Megan Joy can deliver the sultry vocals, it was nice to hear a more pop tone when it came to the Colbie Caillat like “Rainclouds” and “Can’t Bring Me Down” which rendered my mind to the indie queen, Ingrid Michaelson. “Can’t Bring Me Down” has commercial appeal written all over it just like that inescapable Michaelson song about sweaters. Megan Joy better be looking to market this one, because I wouldn’t be mad hearing it every day in an ad for coffee or the latest Gap product.

Megan Joy’s self-titled proves she has what it takes to make it further than “Where Are They Now- Idol Edition” specials on the TV Guide channel. And although she’s married to the man I swore I’d be with, I can’t hate her because she’s got gems throughout Megan Joy, including the very sentimental song for her son “Ryder On The Storm.” So here’s to hoping that people into piano based pop with a soulful interior take a chance on Megan Joy and enjoy.