The Indie Source
New Orleans based Singer/Songwriter, Daphne Parker Powell, seeks and ultimately finds closure on her latest full length release. The Starter Wife (Pleasure Loves Company) is an 11 song LP that deals with Daphne’s divorce. In some ways, Daphne sounds like a 90s transplant with an affection for Joni Mitchell. She marries Folk, Americana, Country, Alternative, and Adult Contemporary, with a concentrated emphasis on violin. With at times, biting lyrical commentary on her injustices and mistakes, Daphne embraces both her glow and her shadow.
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“Clear Blue" is notable for its jazz lounge feel, and shuffle. More of an interlude than a song really, coming in at less than two minutes, “Clear Blue" is nonetheless a satisfying track. This is followed by “Carry My Cage.” Daphne has a remarkable penchant for self evaluation, and that is ever apparent on this track. She uses the metaphor of a cage for how she tends to structure her own entrapment. A simple but standout track, “Carry My Cage,” will stay with you.
The eerie “Ghosting,” seems more literal than the modern term for ignoring someone. There’s an unsettling undertone to “Ghosting,” that essentially seems to signal a lack of resolution. Similarly, “Worth The Weight” is a clever play on words. But whereas “Ghosting” is more of a premeditated piece, “Worth The Weight" is raw and emotionally poignant. There’s a slight flutter in Daphne’s voice, particularly in the chorus, that cuts deep on this one. She asks the universal question that might just unite us all; baby/will it be worth the weight?
“Little Prince,” describes Daphne discovering the magic of her lover and presumed husband. She muses on about how captivating she finds this person, striving to be more like them. This is of course followed by the quintessential track from the album; “The Starter Wife.” If there’s one song you absolutely must hear from this record, it’s “The Starter Wife.” Imagine if Joni Mitchell had been inspired by Alanis Morrisette’s “You Oughta Know,” and you'll get the idea.
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Ironically, “Sentimental Pessimism” Part 1, starts off with more of an upbeat tempo, than much of the record. Once again, we hear Daphne self-reflecting and placing some blame on herself for her failed relationships. The sequel, “Sentimental Pessimism” Part 2 is more fittingly somber and hushed. The correlation between these two songs isn’t entirely clear. The title of parts 1 and 2 alone, are enough to intrigue you about them.
It’s rare to hear an artist be so unequivocally honest like Daphne Parker Powell is on The Starter Wife. This album holds as much bitterness as some of the heaviest emo bands you know, just presented in a completely separate package. There are moments where you can almost hear Daphne allow a smile to wash over her face, and begin to laugh. She’s wise enough to know that grief is a process. The Starter Wife (Pleasure Loves Company) is now available for streaming
Anne Hollister
https://www.theindiesource.com/c/8ed830f2-c171-4a3c-8fba-640a412bfbd8/
