Ken Pomeroy is a prodigious singer-songwriter operating out of that seemingly hotbed state of literary music talent: Oklahoma USA. An exemplar of stripped down song delivery sees her as one of Horton Records shared secrets until word gets around that someone with such innate talent is ready to knock on doors of acute listeners to painstakingly emotive acoustic music. CHRISTMAS LIGHTS IN APRIL throws up images of continually searching for some sort of contentment,. This includes doubling up as an eye catching title and the name of the final song concluding this ten-track collection criss crossing the path of highly personalised songwriting output.
Across a spectrum spanning thirty-five minutes you are left with the perception of Pomeroy planting herself in the canyons of your mind gently strumming a simple tune carrying lyrics of such depth and sincerity. A cathartic essence seeps from the echoes of the vocals ensuring a youthful zest blends in acres of hope to subjects that can surface from an inner doubt and a touch of heartache.
For someone still in her teenage years, this is Ken Pomeroy's third album and a second release on Horton Records following up its 2018 predecessor HALLWAYS. While it is not uncommon for such introspective songwriters to flow freely with material, it is credit to her and the tight team in support to conjure up a neat concise collection showcasing a promise that stretches a long way into the future. Of course this is the type of music prevalent for well over half a century since artists first flexed their songwriting chops to branch out alone. It is a staple part of the music market today that does contain pan-generational appeal for artists like Ken Pomeroy.
Consistency is the key to this album accruing acclaim. The highs spring up as regular as a city skyline while the lows are non existent. Highs come in the body of tracks such as the evocative 'Cowboy Song', sensitive opener 'Joan' and 'Magnolia' which circulates in an ear worm vacuum . Shades of delicate twang from some sort of steel brush against the light therapeutic strumming of acoustic guitar affording wide open spaces for transfixing vocals to illuminate a darkened room. This is where Ken Pomeroy succeeds as a recording artist. Ethereal transportation into a world of optimistic angst and profound inner exploration.