Rosey'Dirty Child'

Island

Grade: A-


What should Rosey (Nancy Joy Kaye) be thankful for? That would be fate, for it has given Rosey the happiness that she had been searching for in the wrong places. After graduating from Emerson College and interning at several companies, she landed a job as a talent scout for a major label. However, it failed to fulfill her expectations, and a push from her boss after he found her practicing on her guitar and singing was just what she needed to take a sharp turn in the direction of creating a musical career.

She gained a reputation as a performer in well-known clubs in San Francisco and New York and eventually struck a deal with Island A&R. The result of her hard work and perseverance is "Dirty Child," an album best described as a soulful mix of funk, hip-hop and blues-inspired rock, reminiscent of Fiona Apple and Macy Gray. With her album's '60s-like grooves, rich beats and fluid vocals, Rosey makes an unusually honest and unique effort to use her musical talent in attempting to explore spirituality and demolish earthly boundaries that hinder people from finding their sense of freedom.

With her breathy alto and tendency to wander in and out of various musical styles, Rosey is a refreshing addition to the musical world. Her combination of sexiness, emotional turmoil, and confidence make her album an appetizing blend of sorts. The album contains a whirlwind of meaning, emphasizing the search to find confidence and strength to endure life's struggles despite the misfortune that one may have suffered in the past, as well as finding love and being open to new experiences.

"Love" is a mellow note on building one's self-esteem, (prominently featured in the film "Bridget Jones's Diary"), and "Beautiful" is a particularly inspiring and resonant cry to find beauty and passion within oneself without the help of others. Taking drastically different routes in her songs, "My Baby" is a fun exclamation of how it feels to be in love, while "The Time" takes a more serious turn with its roots in feminism and its illumination about the changing perception of women.

The song of the same name as the album, "Dirty Child," is a somewhat archetypal, yet invigorating revelation about a child's struggle to make her dream of becoming a performer possible, fighting obstacles of parental disapproval, destructive behavior and material shallowness. "Like a Dream" and "One" have seductive appeal, while "Heaven" and "Cozy" are characterized by wistful fantasy. Whichever route Rosey decides to take, however, she takes it on with all her might, effectively stirring up the listener and leaving him or her wanting more.

Rosey describes her outlook on life to be positively rosy, always looking to the brighter side. Her listeners will hopefully recognize the significance of finding joy in all corners of life from her powerful messages, fostering inner strength and motivation. Rosey's "Dirty Child" is a successful debut album and an effective display of this sultry singer's creative expression.