Written by Maria Arroyo
Singer/songwriter Esther Rose is releasing her third full-length album, How Many Times via Father/Daughter Records and Full Time Hobby.
Written over a span of two years, Rose talks about her life: everything from moving three times, to an ended relationship, and even a hectic tour schedule, as well as other things. She explains that How Many Times is an album that “symbolizes an awakening” and also shares that “this album is not just about feeling better, it’s about feeling it, whatever it is.”
Helping bring her newest project to life are musicians Matt Bell (lap steel), Max Bien Kahn (electric guitar), Dan Cutler (upright bass), Cameron Snyder (drums), and Lyle Werner (fiddle).
The album’s title track, “How Many Times,” starts off the record with a bluesy and groovy energy that’s created from the instrumentation. Immediately, the listener gets a sense of an easygoing singer and performer, while remaining down-to-earth and honest in her lyrics. Rose shares that “How Many Times” is about when “all the gifts and memories only bring pain. It’s the moment when getting closer to it is the only thing I haven’t tried yet.”
Her next song, “My Bad Mood,” has a nice swing feel to it, and is definitely one of the more relatable tracks on the album. She consciously decides to stay away from what she calls the “you did me wrong” songs because there are two sides to every story, and she feels that she can only respectfully talk about situations from her end. Rose also admits to using this song as a way to “examine her own blind spots” so she can be the best partner possible.
A personal favorite of mine is “Good Time.” I feel like we are finally exploring other avenues of her musical abilities, which is super exciting as both a songwriter and listener. I also think this track is a great reflection of her growth as an artist.
“When You Go” is another gem because there’s a different level of intimacy that she unlocks. Rose says that her golden “Songwriting Rule” is ‘no bullshit.’
“The song starts as this kind of ‘self-assured, I’m getting over you’ song,” Rose shares. “I was scared to go to the ‘no bullshit’ place to see what was below the surface. I sent it to my best friend and songwriter soulmate, Julia Sandersand, she urged me to finish it. The next day I wrote the chorus and I remember crying, crying, crying and then crying some more. It’s a very primal feeling.”
“Songs Remain” brings a great guitar intro, that also showcases a more stripped down and vulnerable feeling to the song, which can also be said for her next track, “Are You Out There.” There’s a great pulsing rhythm that brings the song to life, and the lighter weight to the song is a nice change of pace. In this song, she tackles her fear of letting go and moving on. “I don’t grapple with fate,” says Rose. “I accept my bad luck and my good luck equally.”
The closing track, “Without You,” is a beautifully-made and wholesome ending to the album. I thought it was the perfect way to wrap up her story, and it really did its job in solidifying How Many Times.
“So many times I thought I really figured it out, I finally knew how to protect myself, I could fix my heart,” Rose boldly shares. “But there is no fix. I am slowly learning to get to know my heartache like it’s an old friend and to stop running.”
Connect with Esther Rose
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