Create Your Own Mythology is the third album from Kristin Diable, a Louisiana native.
Clad in vintage clothing and thick eyeliner, her look on the album cover is a blend of classic Motown and Nashville, which is fitting for her sound. The album was produced by Dave Cobb, who also produced 2 of the most critically acclaimed Americana albums in recent memory: Sturgill Simpson's Metamodern Sounds in Country Music in 2014 and Jason Isbell's Southeastern in 2013.
The album isn't confined to a singular genre, traversing soul, gospel, rock, and country. There are moments when her voice has the sleek soulfulness reminiscent of Adele's. Other times she sings with a low, sultry voice that might be heard at a cafe in the Lower East Side on any given night. Her music draws a lot of inspiration from the new wave of soul that emerged with Amy Winehouse, yet it contains a home-grown country and Americana feel. The album features an abundant use of organ and guitar, experimenting with distortion effects to change the feel and energy of a track.
Kristin never stays in one place for too long. Her first two tracks "I'll Make Time for You" and "Time Will Wait" revel in a kind of loving devotion, only to be followed up by "Hold Steady," a lamenting tune about drudging through a dying relationship. "True Devotion" is a lilting song about unconditional love. With "Deepest Blue," she tries to savor the final fleeting moments of that love before it leaves her.
In the final tracks of Create Your Own Mythology, Diable arrives in a place of appreciation for the here and now. In the album's feel-good anthem, "Make the Most," there is a high energy and optimism that stands out from the rest of the album. Discussing the importance of valuing a seemingly bad hand in life, the song has the type of insight that can only be arrived at after experiencing and recovering from a heavy loss. Her final track, "Honey, Leave the Light On" leaves the listener in a place of peace, the song opening with lush chords from a church organ.
On this LP, Kristin Diable offers a clear, linear evolution that helps build her own mythology as a singer-songwriter. Her observations and insight are lucid and concise, but at times come off as a bit sterile. Overall, this album's greatest strength comes from its variety. The listener never feels as though Diable is meditating on a subject or emotion ad nauseum. Create Your Own Mythology is an intimate, unflinching and self-aware narrative that showcases Diable's strong vocal and lyrical talent.
Create Your Own Mythology is available for pre-order on Amazon (Vinyl, CD, MP3) and iTunes.
