“Dream“
from the album A Good Day
2008
iTunes
This young Pennsylvania to Los Angeles singer-songwriter possesses an unusually restrained and mature minimalism in her lyrical economy, her smart, concise melodies, and instrumentation that supports but never suffocates the material. Credit producer Joey Waronker for protecting Priscilla Ahn and keeping the arrangements at a tasteful distance. Priscilla Ahn’s voice is simply too delicate. She has a light, airy, youthful quality that’s genuinely optimistic, even if she’s delivering something as dire as Willie Nelson’s “Opportunity to Cry,” the one well-chosen cover amongst her own notable originals. It’s no coincidence that Priscilla Ahn is frequently concerned with flying and escaping her restless present. From the album’s first-rate opening cut, “Dream,“ she traces her life to a conclusion with a strong desire for an outer body experience. “Astronaut” views the world from space. “Lullaby” is a prayer of hope for children stuck in small towns where their dreams go unanswered. Though Priscilla Ahn uses few words, she has much to say and a breath-taking voice for saying it.