What Life Sounds Like #19 - “Felony Flats” by Anya Marina

“Felony Flats” is the title track off Anya Marina’s third album, and I think it’s the best one on the disc. Anya Marina is a breathy singer-songwriter who’s dabbled in acting, comedy, music, you name it. She gained a little bit of traction a few years ago when she was featured on the Twilight: New Moon soundtrack with the fantastic “Satellite Heart.” A flirty, soft version cover of “Whatever You Like” has also been making the rounds. She’s feminine, self-deprecating, and at times snarky. She can float from infectious acoustic anthems to pulsing dance beats. The girl’s got talent.

If there’s one musical quality that can almost guarantee a song a place in my heart, it’s a good build. I’m talking about the songs that start slow, almost silent, building slowly to a crashing zenith of sound. Yeah, that dramatic. “Mariella” by Kate Nash (a previous WLSL entry) is a perfect example. 

“Felony Flats” has that quality. She says, “I could tell by your face, I was late” with such delicacy and sadness, but by the end of the song she’s growling, “Come on and get it.” There’s a definite rock ‘n roll vibe, and it’s a song you have to sing along with at the top of your lungs.

(Source: Spotify)