‘Vine’ by Giselle Parker: A Nostalgic Journey of Growth and Self-Discovery

November 16, 2024

‘Vine’ by Giselle Parker: A Nostalgic Journey of Growth and Self-Discovery

Giselle Parker’s new EP, ‘Vine’, is a beautiful mix of emotions, a stunning exploration of community, dealing with loss, and growth through it all. It has this nostalgic, folk-pop melodic vibe going on remininiscent of Camera Obscura’s depth and Karen Carpenter’s warmth. Giselle is from Edmonton, Alberta and has been making a name for herself both as a solo artist and with local bands like Cantoo and the Lilith Fair Revival Band. Her first EP, Old Flame (from 2019), blended classic melodies and wistful lyrics, and it feels like this new release takes everything she’s done before to the next level.

At the heart of ‘Vine’ there’s this push and pull of finding and leaving community. The lead single, “Fine”, has this country influences going on, the yearning spirit of Camera Obscura’s ‘Let’s Get Out of This Country’, combined with chiming guitars and a warm organ sound that pull you in. Giselle’s lyrics get deep into personal liberation. She takes you through all the emotions one can feel: anger, confusion, and finally landing on self-reliance. It’s such a strong way to set the tone for the whole EP which is about transformation, growth and resilience.

The EP closes with ‘‘Slow Bloom,’’ which is a perfect contrast to ‘‘Fine’’. It has a dreamy and melodic quality to it, it’s ethereal and calming. Giselle said the track was inspired by coral reefs, and you can really feel that—there’s this beautiful metaphor for patience and slow growth. The music itself feels like it’s growing, changing and evolving, with these shimmering layers and a gentle rhythm that make you want to just sit still and absorb it all. It’s one of those songs where the more you listen to it, the more you notice things. There’s an undeniable talent here for creating music that is emotionally rich.

With ‘Vine’, Giselle Parker cements her reputation as a songwriter who’s able to mix classic influences while having a modern perspective. Her ability to take personal themes and turn them into songs that feel relatable to anyone makes the EP both a tribute to the past and a hopeful vision for the future. If you’re into that warm, folk-pop sound or just love songs that dig into real transformation, ‘Vine’ is really as it’s a journey worth connecting with.