Album Review: Bright Flame by Marika Che
by Shannon Dutra
Marika Che’s debut solo project, Bright Flame, released on April 8. It’s full of observations about the big and little events of life, and everything in between. Che invites listeners to experience something personal and connect through their own lived experience. Bright Flame goes full indie-pop, creating an emotional, hopeful album about life.
The album opener, Bonfire of Tragedy, stands out as one of the most poignant tracks. The lyrics are touching and introspective, and show us that Che doesn’t need much to create an effective track. With lyrics like, “Come on down to the place I found / We’ll burn it down / At the bonfire of tragedy,” this track invites listeners to burn their worries away.
Edge of the Storm, a standout on the album, is an upbeat track about getting something you want. The vocals are strong and bright as Che is at her best here vocally. “Could I reach into an endless sky / Pull down what I’m looking for / Turn it into a pretty track / I tried so hard to get nothing wrong.” The track's lyrics are easy to identify with as they highlight the little things in life that give us peace: “I left my dishes in the sink to go out walking where I can think.” Edge of the Storm also mixes genres effectively, too. The track is a little bit country and emo, and the mashup of genres works well.
The fourth track, Bright Flame includes some of the album’s most emotional lyrics, and Che’s songwriting shines. Lyrics like, “what’s worse than pain is no pain at all,” and “I chase away the pain, that’s my bright flame,” highlight the realization that pain is not something we should run from, as it’s a part of the human experience.
Near the end of the album is Coach Taylor, a small song with a big impact. What starts out as a simple acoustic ballad slowly melds into something larger by bringing in electric guitars, tambourines, and drums. It’s the longest track on the album but the length is not a detriment. It’s also a cheeky nod to Kyle Chandler’s Eric Taylor on Friday Night Lights.
The ending track on the record, Jasmine, highlights more little moments from life. It is a steady closer to an album that explores heartbreak, relationships, a favorite TV show, and the little moments in between that give our lives meaning. Che wrote incredibly poetic lyrics for this song, such as, “my dogs are waiting at the window, there’s jasmine growing around my door. No cure for a broken heart it seems, only the passing time that gives you what you need.”
Bright Flame is definitely made from the creativity that heartbreak brings, allowing Marika Che to express herself in ways that are relatable and full of beauty. This album is intentionally raw and keeps listeners searching within themselves, showing the depths of the heart and the true intentions of Che’s writing.
