Album Review: Tor Miller’s American English
First impressions are everything. But, it’s rare when an artist is able to hit the mark on their debut record. Lucky for us, that’s exactly what Tor Miller does with his debut album, American English.
It’s clear from the opening track that he’s spent years honing his craft, knows who he is, and what kind of music he wants to make. His debut album is a powerful statement by an artist who has firmly established himself amongst music’s greatest singer-songwriters. He’s confidently bringing back a ’70s-inspired soul that we didn’t even know we were missing.
On American English, Miller is front and center with his crafty piano-narrative and commanding vocals. And, frankly, that’s all he needs. The record has an organic cinematic flair, lush arrangements, while never sounding overproduced. The young singer-songwriter has a knack for creating vivid imagery through his storytelling. And, at the heart of the album is the city that’s had a profound influence on his career, New York. Miller is taking listeners on a personal journey through the city’s iconic landmarks. Tracks including “Washington Square Park,” “Stampede,” and “Chelsea” are prime examples.
American English is an indisputable achievement and one of the year’s best albums. With no fillers, the album gets better with each listen and will withstand the test of time. We only hope it receives the recognition it rightfully deserves.
★ ★ ★ ★ out of 4
Photo Credit: Glassnote Entertainment Group
Discussion about this post