There are a number of female singer-songwriters that are currently out on the market. Frankly, a number of them are fair to middling. However, Doctaryn is an act that boldly looks to tear down many of these conceptions and create in Conundrum one of the most intelligent and inspiring albums that we at NeuFutur have heard in the last year.
Fresh instrumentation and a unique singing voice are the reason why this album soars as high as it does, while a lush and verdant production makes it easy to come back for more. A standout track on Conundrum, Be The One does not only excite listeners but forces them to re-evaluate their own lives. By stepping forward and being confident, a listener (Doctaryn says) can Be The One, whether it be as a lover, confidant, or friend. This self-assuring trend continues nicely in Dream On. The confidence exuded by Doctaryn during this track is palatable, and makes the track that much stronger. All Is Gone is the pinnacle of Conundrum, and that is due to the fact that is contains such heady musical feelings. Where each of the other tracks on the album are impressive, the rawness of the effort here is without comparison.
While each of the tracks on Conundrum are strong in their own right, I feel that anyone that finds themselves to be a fan of Doctaryn would do well to see her live. I understand the production is hands off enough to allow for listeners to hear the true Doctaryn but I believe that there will be an extra spark to each of the album’s cuts. Check out Conundrum now and see a phenonmenon that will undoubtedly be bigger with each passing day.
Top Tracks: Hell Hath No Fury, Give Me A Hint
Rating: 8.6/10
Doctaryn – Conundrum (CD) / 2011 Self / http://www.reverbnation.com/DOCTARYN
John Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC hardware, consumer tech, and gaming culture since 1998. With over 25 years of continuous digital publishing experience, he has written thousands of hands-on game and record reviews, conducted in-depth hardware field testing, and analyzed digital media monetization trends. His work prioritizes first-hand evaluation and long-term product testing.
Beats: Independent Music, PC Gaming & Peripherals, Consumer Tech, Webmaster Tools
Testing & Ethics: All hardware, software, and media reviews are conducted through hands-on evaluation in accordance with NeuFutur’s editorial independence standards; sponsored consideration is strictly excluded from editorial ratings.
Contact: editor@neufutur.com