Best known as a record producer and recording engineer who runs her own studio totally powered by green energy, Vermont’s Kristina Stykos has just released her eighth record, River of Light.
From the first listen, it is clear that Stykos knows her musical genres and is instantly at ease singing on a country rocker like State Line Diner, a blues shuffle on I Like a Hard-Hearted Man or on the Celtic-folk tinged Walking These Edges. Her vocal style and phrasing is very reminiscent of Mary Gauthier and her lyrics unfold like lines of poetry covering subjects as diverse as heartbreak and rural poverty, as well as redemption on songs such as Waging Peace and Blessed Light.
As a self-recorded album, special mention must be made of the production skills impressively demonstrated by Stykos. She has utilised the talents of musicians Val McCallum and Steve Mayone on guitar brilliantly placing their very subtle guitar playing in the mix as an excellent foil to her acoustic rhythm playing.
River of Light is a record that grows on the listener. It’s full of vivid imagery and hidden gems that can only be fully appreciated after multiple listens. The lyrics are deep, powerful and personal and delivered with knowledge, passion and an edge that commands the attention of the listener.