Rachel Sage with a New Destination to discover…

Short and sweet aptly describes this new EP from Rachel Sage.  Running only four tracks, what it lacks in quantity is made up in quality with a contemporary and sophisticated sound that is removed from her traditional alternative –pop of past recordings.

Produced by Sage and Barb Morrison of Deborah Harry fame, it was recorded by Grammy alum John Shyloski (Seth Glier) and Andy Zuller (Kelly Clarkson, Megan Hilty).

The title track is fun and you can almost hear the inspiration for it flowing through the bars.  In a recent interview with “American Songwriter” Sage stated that the new Broadway musical “Beautiful” inspired by Carole King’s life was the inspiration for this track.

Setting out to create an upbeat pop song, she confesses it ended up being a pep talk of sorts for a friend.  So with that in mind, the listener is given a playful piano line and an unmistakable pop-hook that oozes with the ilk of King.

“Wax” has that undeniable sound all too familiar with the classic tones of early Ani DiFranco and Sarah McLachlan.  It’s probably unsurprising then to learn that Sage has shared stages and concert halls with these two and many other great artists.

“Misery’s Grace” is a somber affair, which beckons the listener to grab a glass of red and a long hot bath by candlelight.  “Not Leaving You” rounds out this EP with an adept touch of electric guitar adding to it an extra dynamic to bring home this ballad.

With a contingent of artists spanning across some of the great bands and collaborators of this musical era, Quinn (Daft Punk), Jack Petruzelli (Rufus Wainwright) and Everett Bradley (E Street Band), they add to the quality of this EP in bounds.  Sage has a refined sound that hints at a restrained Kate Bush and draws upon her talents as a pianist to create stories through her music that speak to the listener.