This singer-songwriter from Baltimore, Maryland once again demonstrates her exquisite capabilities at telling elaborates stories through her music, the ones that sweep us off our feet, immerse us in the depth of her dreams and make us sway to the power of her voice.

In her new album, Me And The Ghost of Charlemagne, her first since becoming a mother, Speace evokes the magic of gospel and soul music, in addition to her signature flavors of pop and folk, in sharing her tales. If the eponymous single is a taste of what is to be expected from the full album coming out this September, then fans will be rejoicing to get their hands on her latest work, assured that their pop-folk-Americana sensation is well and truly back. 

The single ‘Me and the Ghost of Charlemagne’ showcases the magnetism of Speace’s voice and how she exudes strength through honesty. It can be classified as a pop power ballad: the piano chords sharply strike down at the beginning of the song, clearing the path for her angelic voice, as pronounced and elegant as ever. She narrates a tale about a Medieval emperor yet the listeners find out soon enough that the song refers back to Speace’s own struggles, as she emerges in the frame, vulnerable yet frank. What follows are some achingly real and powerful words about how she battles loneliness, exhaustion, homesickness as an artist: her talent is not only evident by her diverse vocal range but her ways of crafting a story in her songs, painting diligent visuals that allow her fans to connect with her at all emotional levels. 

The song is kept free of any intrusive productions that could distract from her sound---just a couple of piano chords that rise and fall as per Speace’s vibratos. The strings only pick up in the middle of the song, when Speace’s voice soars into a high note, her emotions breaking through into a terrific falsetto. It is a homage to an autumn, celebrating the lows after the highs, the darkness amidst the rays of sunshine. 

 singer-songwriter