Patterns

iTunes Review

The third album by Buffalo, N.Y.-based tunesmith Stacy Clark is overflowing with all kinds of charm. The opener, “Lose My Mind,” sets the tone with a perfect blend of indie and pop, as retro-sounding synthesizers work their way around percolating beats while Clark’s cooing vocals melt over a catchy chorus. The following “Days into Nights” is less busy; it gives Clark plenty of room to stretch her vocal range, especially in the wide-open refrain where her notes soar outward. Old-school drum and bass textures pepper the comforting “Sign,” where her breathy inflections wash over the listener. The innovatively arranged “Decimals and Music Notes” moves with unpredictable changes that rub against the grain of her smooth and simple vocal style. It’s refreshing to hear a songstress confidently come into her own style, most noticeably in “Breathe,” where the sole accompaniment of an acoustic guitar really lets you home in on her lovely voice.