If Conya Doss, Faith Evans, and Kim Burrell all shared a baby sister, K. Avett is who she’d be. A Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX-based soul/jazz singer-songwriter, K. Avett is so much the real deal we can hardly stand it. Showboating soulful arrangements of gospel and contemporary inspirations, Avett’s phrasing and vocal approach are like the sultriest of jazz. On one of the new missed gems of the summer of 2014, K. Avett’s 13-song debut project, K. Avett: Revelations, is not all gospel, but it’s all soulful and lyrically from a very personal space. One of the more introspective relationship songs of the bunch, “Can’t Stand” is also one of the album’s standout secular moments, sung with the skill, confidence, and heartbreak of a vet. Throughout the cut, one can definitely hear the contemporary gospel influences in her voice, but the smoke of the speakeasy is just as present, giving listeners a sweet tension between the church and the nightclub in K.
If Conya Doss, Faith Evans, and Kim Burrell all shared a baby sister, K. Avett is who she’d be. A Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX-based soul/jazz singer-songwriter, K. Avett is so much the real deal we can hardly stand it. Showboating soulful arrangements of gospel and contemporary inspirations, Avett’s phrasing and vocal approach are like the sultriest of jazz. On one of the new missed gems of the summer of 2014, K. Avett’s 13-song debut project, K. Avett: Revelations, is not all gospel, but it’s all soulful and lyrically from a very personal space. One of the more introspective relationship songs of the bunch, “Can’t Stand” is also one of the album’s standout secular moments, sung with the skill, confidence, and heartbreak of a vet. Throughout the cut, one can definitely hear the contemporary gospel influences in her voice, but the smoke of the speakeasy is just as present, giving listeners a sweet tension between the church and the nightclub in K. Avett’s smoldering delivery. It’s a nice blend on an album that balances both worlds.
As smooth as “Can’t Stand” is, the jam isn’t even the album’s best. However, it does serve as a welcome introduction to a singer’s singer we hope to hear a lot more from and soon. Sometimes the mid-year album releases you discover late in the year are actually some the sweetest finds of the year. I’m enjoying this sweet tooth.
By L. Michael Gipson
K. Avett - "Can't Stand"