There’s a quiet sophistication to Andrea Schmider’s new EP Potpourri that belies its floral metaphor. Where others might have succumbed to sentimentality or preciousness, Schmider chooses clarity over gloss and sincerity over spectacle. This five-track collection unfurls like a handwritten letter – uneven at times, deeply personal, and all the more resonant because of it.
Much like the Japanese art of Kintsugi referenced in “Fractured Beauty,” Schmider’s songwriting leans into the idea that imperfection can be illuminating. Produced by Manuel Halter, the EP carefully avoids overproduction, instead foregrounding her voice – warm, elastic, and reflective – against acoustic instrumentation that breathes rather than smothers. Songs like “Set the Sails” and “Lonely Streets” present narratives that hinge on small but transformative moments, allowing room for emotional ambiguity.
The standout track, “Circles,” sneaks in its weightiest themes beneath a deceptively playful melody. Schmider excels when she allows this juxtaposition to lead, creating tension between tone and content. The result is a listening experience that isn’t always easy, but feels honest – and that honesty feels increasingly rare.
Yet, the EP sometimes leans a bit too hard on metaphor and sentiment. Lines risk becoming overwrought or illustrative rather than evocative. Still, when Schmider grounds her lyrics in vivid detail and lets her voice do the heavy lifting, she delivers moments of undeniable beauty – especially in the closer “Sweet Stillness,” which functions as both benediction and beginning.
In Potpourri, Schmider doesn’t reinvent the singer-songwriter wheel, but she turns it with clear intention. Her work here is modest in scope but rich in feeling – music not for playlists, but for quiet afternoons, handwritten journals, and hearts that bruise easily and heal slowly.
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