Aly Berry sounds sure of herself and like she knows what she wants in her new song "Men Like You." Aly is a jazz-influenced artist who works independently. She isn't in a hurry to make a scene, instead, she's taking her time to make a sound that is real, personal, and new. This release is a taste of her first album, which feels more like an arrival than just a first step.
Aly wrote "Men Like You" all by herself, and it shows that she is an artist who knows what she wants to say and how to say it. There is a strong sense of authorship, each phrase is written with purpose, grounded in her own point of view rather than in what is popular or expected. You can hear this independence in the way the song is written and in its overall sound.
Paul Higgs produced the music, which has a quiet beauty that complements Aly's jazz roots. The fact that Higgs has worked with famous musicians such as Peggy Lee and Nancy Wilson lends the recording a timeless quality. The production enhances the song without detracting from it, letting Aly's art shine through.
"Men Like You" doesn't try to change pop music that sounds like jazz, instead, it honors its roots while sounding new. There is a deliberate warmth and restraint that reminds us that subtlety can be just as powerful as showiness. People don't just want to listen to this song, they want to do something.
This release makes Aly Berry a well-known artist, thoughtful, self-reliant, and very independent. Aly isn't just sharing songs on her first album, she's starting a long conversation that needs to be heard.