Exorcist by Candi Carpenter | Song Review
Carpenter is back shedding their country roots for a foray into a more alternative sound.
I have been following Candi’s career for a while now. Since hearing her perform live at the Grand Ole Opry for Dolly Parton’s 50 Anniversary celebration, I was shocked that the country music artist wasn’t getting more traction for their powerful voice and skillful songwriting. They have released several EP’s both under their name and the group The Church of Roswell. Even though their first EP showed unique promise alongside Brandi Carlile, little in the way of motion has come from their continued push into the Americana scene. After the release of their last EP alongside Josh Doyle under The Church of Roswell name, Carpenter went back into the studio with a different angle. They opted to go a more alternative pop route that felt more authentic to them.
“‘Exorcist’ is the first song I wrote for my new project and is the first song I’d ever written that felt painfully and viscerally like me. My co-producers Peter Shurkin and Alden Witt helped me heal through the process of writing this album. They called me on my bulls, and sat with me for hundreds of hours while I poured my heart out, and sobbed into my laptop. They pushed me to be fearless and open and painstakingly honest. I discovered myself because of this project.”
As they stated to Michael Major for Broadway World Music, the song is a much more personal look into Carpenter’s past and the trauma’s that haunt them. Gone are the trappings of country and Americana for cool mix of synth pads, acoustic guitars, and gentle beats. Their sound makes for introspective lyrics to feel much deeper and nostalgic in their pain. It reminds me of Lauren Aquilina’s “Fuckedupminddd” albeit without the driving electric guitars.
Carpenter’s words trace revelations on their sexuality and deconstructing religious and sexual traumas in the lines, “I always assumed I only liked boys, but now I’m not sure/ And the first time anyone touched me, they didn’t ask me first” and “I had a set of Bible story VHS tapes/ My mother made me watch to balance out the other shows.” All these past ghosts act as demons to torture them in a way that they relate to needing an exorcist to purge from them and get them back to the ground. I really like the final lines in the second chorus, “And I’ve gotta deal with my personal demons/ It’s not their fault they’re up all night screaming/ They didn’t ask to be born and neither did I.”
Although a definite sea change from the rootsy sounds we were used to hearing from prior works, Candi’s gentle timbre works really well with this alt-pop change. The candid lyrical content feels really honest and connects you well with the many struggles Carpenter has mentally overcome since their childhood. I have seen more and more country artists change over to a more pop sound (see Kacey Musgrave, Taylor Swift, Kelsea Ballerini). Unlike the examples I have named, this doesn’t sound generic or hollow. Candi’s music is radio friendly enough while not losing the soul or authenticity behind it. I really look forever to what this new project they are working on will bring. They deserve a full album release of work they feel proud of as they have proven to be a talent.
My overall rating: 8.5 out of 10.
