By Joshua Wallace
You might remember Avi Kaplan as the rich bass vocalist from the group Pentatonix. This record is his first solo project since breaking with that group and he gets to showcase his own personal style and wider vocal range. This album showcases a love for folk music that didn’t get to shine in the group Pentatonix which mostly does covers of popular songs. I really enjoy this record and look forward to digging into more of his sound in the future.
The title track of the album is “I’ll Get By”. It starts off as a simple guitar track and Avi’s smooth vocals and swells to include a broader soundscape. It’s a nice track about life’s burdens and how we all get by. Another favorite is “It Knows Me”. This track features a great drum beat and infectious chorus on a song about how darkness and sin knows him. I particularly enjoy the gospel feel of the chorus on this one. “Sweet Adeline Pt. 2” is a follow up to the Avriel & The Sequoias track “Sweet Adeline”. This song is more of a break up song where as part 1 was longing for Adeline. It’s also a nice way to tie his solo record in with his previous folk project and acknowledging the past. Finally, my favorite track on this album is “Born In California”. It’s just a smooth track that takes you to California and gives you a longing for your own home. Like the title track it swells from a simple beginning into a more evolved affair and you get some of Avi’s deeper bass lines in the chorus here. I dig the harmonica that comes in towards the end.
This album is a great start for Avi Kaplan as a solo singer. It showcases his wide vocal range and a deep love for folk music. If you’re a fan of smooth folk groups with a focus on vocals and lots of guitar and percussion, you’ll dig this one. As a member of Pentatonix, Avi was forced into the bass role and now he gets to showcase his range as more of a baritone. I’ll Get By is out everywhere as of Friday February 28th, 2020 and Avi Kaplan is about to be on tour for the record as well. Be sure to check him out live if you get a chance to.
Favorite Tracks : I’ll Get By, It Knows Me, Sweet Adeline Pt. 2, Born In California, Full Moon
Avi Kaplan – I’ll Get By (2020)
- Change On The Rise
- I’ll Get By
- It Knows Me
- Sweet Adeline Pt. 2
- Chains
- Born In California
- Full Moon
