by Eliana Fermi
The Only Moment is another enjoyable album presenting Maya de Vitry’s ever-evolving journey as a songwriter and producer. Emerging from her roots with The Stray Birds, de Vitry has embraced a liberating new atmosphere of thoughtful lyrics and developing soundscapes to connect with the listener. The album’s title hints at its core philosophy: to live fully in the present, no matter how challenging the past or uncertain the future may be.
From the hypnotizing rise and fall of the harmonic movement of “Nothing Else Matters” to the steady Americana rock of “Some Rent,” de Vitry’s voice conveys an honesty that beckons your attention. The well-oil band anchors the album’s blend of indie folk, indie rock, and indie pop, enriched with touches of Americana and alt-country. Recorded over a three-year period at Phantom Studios in Gallatin, TN, The Only Moment was given the time and space to evolve naturally. The organic, unhurried recording process is reflected in the album’s spacious soundscapes, where the interplay between Anthony da Costa’s electric guitar, Ethan Jodziewicz’s inventive bass lines, and Dominic Billet’s driving percussion creates an atmosphere that is energetic and intimate
De Vitry’s lyrics resonate with characters and stories. In “Compass” and “If They Feel Like Wings,” she deftly navigates the lyrics to allow us to feel the tension in the character, inviting listeners to chart their course through the music’s emotions. “Odds of Getting Even” is a catchy tune with its inspiration rooted in the resilience of icons like Sharon Jones, while its co-writing with Caitlin Canty adds a layer of communal creativity.
“Some Rent” and “Ribbon” use thought-leading lyrics to inspire imagery in our musical imagination. De Vitry and the band provide the conversational language as we ponder the nature of moving forward without losing the essence of who we are.
The album’s production is excellent. Grammy-award–winning engineer Justin Francis lends his expertise to a warm and textured mix. Each track is focused on the sound stage, from the delicate arpeggios of an acoustic guitar on “I’m Not Going Anywhere” to the Wurlitzer that elevates “Watching the Whole Sky Change.”
The Only Moment is a record where Maya de Vitry showcases her influences from bluegrass and roots music but also reinvents her sound in a way that is expressive and universally resonant. Each song is a songwriter’s story, a snapshot of a moment in time, and an invitation for the listener to reflect on the words and melodies. The Only Moment is a heartfelt album of creativity, and ultimately that puts us all in the moment with Maya de Vitry’s music. That’s the short of it!
Connect with Maya de Vitry: Website
