Singer-songwriter Katie Morey has always embraced myriad genres. With her band Pleistocene, she skirted punk while also adopting a pop-punk component.
Her debut solo full-length album, “Friend of a Friend,” released March 4 digitally and on vinyl, finds Morey — who has been a contributing writer for CITY — exploring her creativity further with material that incorporates a wide vision.
Morey wrote all of the album’s songs, building tunes around clever lyrics, such as “I wonder how much pretending we do to survive.” She doesn’t give you characters in her songs — Morey gives you herself, and her voice is refreshing and easy to take in.
Her husband, Ben Morey, who shares writing credits on the song “Deep End,” engineered the recording at Submarine Sound Studios, which adjoins the Brighton music school the couple founded. She enlisted a host of contributors, including multi-instrumentalist Becca Ryskalczyk as well as backing vocalists Mikaela Davis and Cammy Enaharo.
<a href="https://katiemorey.bandcamp.com/album/friend-of-a-friend">Friend of a Friend by Katie Morey</a>
The single “Trial by Fire” kicks off slowly with a western-cinematic vibe. Guided by Morey’s hypnotic lead vocal, the song surprisingly transitions toward an instrumental jam with jazz elements, reflecting a band in full swing. A catchy choral section reminiscent of Sergio Mendes & Brasil ’66 elevates it to greater heights.
“Hotter Than Heaven” and “Scavenger Bird” are thoughtful, experimental, and atmospheric. Both are piano songs with melodies that hug the chords.
Friend of a Friend by Katie Morey
For Morey, “Friend of a Friend” appears to be a sign of things to come. With her affiliations and several albums under her belt, this record builds her reputation as a key figure among Rochester-area musicians.
Katie Morey plays the album release show for “Friend of a Friend” at 8:30 p.m. on April 9, at Three Heads Brewery, 186 Atlantic Ave. $10. 244-1224. threeheadsbrewing.com; katiemorey.bandcamp.com.
Roman Divezur is a freelance writer for CITY.