| Every so often, you come across an artist with musical talent and a gift for songwriting, and you can't believe you've never heard of them before. Such is the case with New York's Kristin Hoffmann.
Hoffmann, at the ripe old age of 23, has already been signed by Capitol Records, left the label before her record was completed, gone on a soul searching trip to Thailand and returned to New York to record and produce her own album. That album, Divided Heart, is a beautiful and dreamy reflection on the many facets of love.
The first thing you notice when listening to Divided Heart is Hoffmann's powerful voice. While the piano, guitar, and other instruments are excellent, there is no doubt that her voice is the centerpiece for the album. She is able to express so much emotion and feeling through her vocal phrases that the lyrics simply complement the mood.
Not only is Hoffmann a gifted vocalist, she is also an excellent songwriter. While Divided Heart is great when viewed as a complete work, there are several songs that really stand out. "New York City," the final track on the album, is a beautiful showcase of Hoffmann's voice accompanied only by piano. On "Divided Heart" and "3 O' Clock in the Morning" Hoffmann seems to be giving a nod to Tori Amos, one of her favorite artists and biggest influences.
Another track of note on Divided Heart is "Temple." Hoffmann describes this song as her view of the perfect relationship. You certainly understand what she means when she sings, "Emotion and devotion/We step into our temple to be seen/This kind of worship will set us free."
Also impressive about Divided Heart is the fact that Hoffmann produced the album herself. The layering of instruments is not overdone, but rather works hand-in-hand with the vocals to bring her vision to life.
While this album is an independent release, I don't see Kristin Hoffmann going unsigned for long. With Divided Heart, she has set the stage for bigger and better things in the music industry.
by Greg Yost
Kristin Hoffmann's Official Web Site
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