Rose Paradise’s debut album "Over The Hill" is a West Coast Folk dreamscape
With Over The Hill, her debut album set for release on April 8th, 2025, Rose Paradise stakes her claim as a powerful new voice in folk rock. Recorded live at Panoramic Studio in her seaside hometown, this 12-track journey feels as immersive as the mist rolling in over the Northern California coastline. Paradise, who brought her band West from New York City, creates a lush, organic soundscape where folk storytelling meets the energy of a tight-knit, deeply connected ensemble.
Much has been said about Rose Paradise’s astounding vocal range, and Over The Hill fully delivers on that promise. Her vocals vibrate with an emotional depth that feels both raw and refined, while her upper range soars effortlessly, carrying listeners through each track like a salty ocean breeze. It’s a voice that doesn’t just sing—it unearths emotions long buried, inviting the listener into a deeply personal, yet universally resonant experience. The dynamic feel throughout the record essentially has her voice acting as another resonant instrument in the mix.
From the very first note on “Tangerine”, Over The Hill envelops you in a sonic landscape both intimate and expansive. The instrumentation is lively, bright, and warm, bringing to life the “mytho-poetic Northern California imagery” that Paradise infuses into her lyrics. Acoustic guitars shimmer, gentle percussion pulses like waves against the shore, and subtle flourishes of piano and strings weave through the mix, creating an atmosphere that feels simultaneously grounded and ethereal. Though as the record goes in, she slowly introduces new sounds, production techniques, and more that fuse this record into a genre-bending experience.
But this is not just an exercise in nostalgia or sonic beauty—these songs explode with passion. There’s an energy here that comes from a band locked into a shared vision, and because the album was recorded live, you can feel that chemistry in every note. Moments of quiet reflection swell into powerful emotional climaxes, mirroring the tides that Paradise grew up watching. Some personal favorites among many were “Year of the Dog”, “Unlearn”, and “Set Wave”. Though we can overwhelmingly urge you to enjoy the full album as it flows like one cohesive piece of art.
Beyond its lush soundscapes, Over The Hill shines in its storytelling. Paradise’s lyrics feel both personal and expansive, tapping into themes of self-discovery, change, and the pull between past and future. There’s a beautiful balance between optimism and introspection, the kind of songwriting that invites you to sit with your emotions rather than run from them.
With Over The Hill, Rose Paradise has created more than just a debut album—it’s a statement of artistic arrival. This is folk music with soul, depth, and an undeniable sense of place. An album to get lost in, to return to, and to let sink deep into your bones.
For a debut that introduces her sound to the world, we legitimately have no notes on how it could have been improved. The originality, freshness, and intimacy of it all is downright astounding. We urge everyone to give it a listen and follow along come release day. Don’t miss out!
Listen to “Over The Hill”
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