Kelly Hafner - If It's Love (2019)

Kelly Hafner is an Austin-based graduate of Berklee School of Music. On her debut album If It’s Love, Hafner shows that her vocal training at the prestigious music school was well worth it.

The beginning of the album is pretty mellow. In the first three songs, the melodies are fairly stripped down with guitar, violin, a minimal beat, and Hafner’s easy, soulful vocals. Her vocals are not only easy and soulful, but also refreshing considering how overwrought R&B vocals can be. Hafner needs none of the vocal gymnastics of an American Idol contestant to show that she has a good voice.

“Things are Changin’” is the first song that brings the tempo and volume up a little bit. The guitar has the kind of distorted, funky sound you would expect to hear in a blaxploitation film. Add some organ and some horns that bring a touch of Memphis to the sound, and what you have is a song that is hard to resist.

“Lifted” moves more toward the soulful sounds you hear from Trigger Hippy or Tedeschi Trucks Band. The rhythm section lays down a solid groove while the horns and the organ give the song a classic soul feel. This is a song that would fit pretty easily on a Daptone record.

“Give Light” is a mellow song that opens with an easy reggae rhythm on the guitar and some whistling. As the song builds, you hear some organ and horns. The mellow melody elevates Hafner’s voice, which is strong but not overpowering. This feels like a perfect song for a summer night.

Hafner shows real talent as a vocalist. She could easily belt out songs like Amy Winehouse, but she doesn’t need to. Her band is tight and provides the perfect grooves to accompany her vocals. This isn’t twist-and-shout soul. It is easygoing soul that makes a perfect soundtrack for a lazy Sunday morning.~ By Gary Schwind