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EVAN BUTTON


I’d like to start off by saying that Evan Button’s music is not new to me.

I’ve been following his work for quite a while now. However, Evan's style on his most recent album achieved by mixing an acoustic, singer-songwriter vibe with dashes of reggae and hints of blues has progressed significantly since I first listened to his music. I felt myself transport out of the city and onto a beach as I listened.

The eighteen year old Virginia Beach artist, Evan Button, released his latest album Stories on June 28, 2016. The album opens with fast paced, upbeat song “Wild Night”. The vocals took me by surprise in the very beginning by how much it reminded me of some of Trevor Hall’s earlier music. Being an avid Trevor Hall fan in high school, I immediately welcomed this sound. “Wild Night” is then followed by three more beach-like tracks that would be really fun to listen to live.

However, the real gems are hidden right in the center of the album.

The laid-back reggae sound was in full swing by track four (“Calliope”) and, by this point, I seriously contemplated buying a train ticket to the nearest beach for the weekend. “Find the Water” is easily my favorite track on the whole album. This song is the epitome of what I appreciate about Evan Button’s music. The melody is simple, the vocals are clear, and there is this unique element to the composition that creates an enchanting feeling to the entirety of the song. I, too, hope that I can “find the water and end my drought,” before the summer is over.

On a more serious note, as a lover of melancholy melodies, it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t highlight “Above the Clouds”. The song begins with a strong message setting the mood for the rest of the four minutes:

“Above the clouds

If there’s anything up there,

I hope I made you proud.

Maybe someday we will meet again,

you are gone, but not forgotten.”

These lyrics are accompanied by nothing, but a piano before a twinkling guitar sets in. This song resonated deeply with me and will so for anyone who has experienced loss in their life.

I’d like to finish by saying that Evan Button’s music is not new to me, but the progression I’ve heard from his last album to Stories makes it seem like it is new. It’s always a pleasure to watch one of your hometown's local artists grow.

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