Release Date: Sep 23, 2013
Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Alternative/Indie Rock, Alternative Singer/Songwriter
Record label: Atlantic
Music Critic Score
How the Music Critic Score works
Buy Fire Within from Amazon
Birdy, the stage name of British artist Jasmine van der Bogaerde, had the difficult task of not only releasing her second album, but of releasing her first full album of original material. Two years after her 2011 self-titled debut -- which featured covers from the likes of Postal Service and Fleet Foxes -- Birdy has undertaken the majority of the songwriting credits on Fire Within, with assistance from an assortment of talented songwriters, including Dan Wilson (Adele), Rich Costey (Muse, Arctic Monkeys), and Mumford & Sons pianist Ben Lovett. This melting pot of production and songwriting talent has obviously been beneficial to Birdy's development, and she's had time to mature and develop her own songwriting strengths.
While most of us were complaining about schoolwork and day dreaming about our latest crush, Jasmine van den Bogaerde—known by her stage name, Birdy—was releasing her first single, a beautiful cover of Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love”. 11 months later, and only 15 years old, Birdy released her first album. This self-titled release was filled with covers ranging from Ed Sheeran to The National to The xx.
Almost every pop star today - with the exception of refreshingly minimalist Lorde - is so hopped up on synths, bass and dance-floor overkill, it makes you long for songs that not only stand up with just a voice and a piano, but sound like they were written precisely for that set-up. For this, Britain's always been great. See Adele and, recently, Sam Smith - and now Birdy, aka Jasmine van den Bogaerde.
It’s almost two years since fresh-faced Jasmine van den Bogaerde, aka Birdy, released her self-titled debut album. The record, which was almost completely made up of covers, was essentially sold on the fact that the then 15-year-old had a voice that defied her age, with the cover art showing a picture of Birdy looking all innocent and childlike. Yet while the voice remains integral to second album, Fire Within, much has changed since Birdy first burst onto the scene.
is available now