Full Review

Anna Hillburg, Tired Girls Review

Where do we begin with Anna Hillburg’s release, Tired Girls? Imagine stepping into a kaleidoscope of sound, where every turn reveals a new shade of musical hues. This album flows with many emotions, experiences, and, yes, those ever-persistent earworm melodies that refuse to leave your consciousness. Let’s dive deep into this opus, shall we?

Tired Girls is a journey through the heart of a woman who’s seen it all, played it all, and isn’t afraid to pour it all into her music. Hillburg, our Bay Area jewel, brings decades of diverse musical expertise to the table, blending the intricate with the accessible, the classical with the contemporary, and the personal with the universal.

The title track, “Tired Girls,” finds Hillburg tapping into the zeitgeist, capturing the essence of womanhood with a refreshing and poignant deftness. She sings to women and anyone who’s felt the weight of societal expectations pressing down on them. The track is a melodic shrug at the world, a beautifully arranged piece that encourages us to find worth in our own reflections, not in the gazes of others.

And then there’s “Girl Girl Girl,” a track that feels like a conversation across generations, a bridge built with notes and lyrics, connecting the past, present, and future of women’s experiences. It’s a groovy testament to the lives led and the lives yet to be lived, all wrapped up in a melody that’s as catchy as it is contemplative.

But let’s remember the musicianship on display here. Hillburg’s contribution with the trumpet isn’t just showcased; it’s celebrated as it joins her vocals, adding layers of elegance and emotion to an already rich musical landscape. The arrangements are intricate, but they’re also incredibly inviting, drawing you in with a blend of piano solos, trumpet sections, and hooks that are impossible to resist.

Collaborating with Jason Quever, Hillburg has crafted a set of music that feels dreamy yet grounded, ethereal yet earnest. This album shows the two’s chemistry in their combined musical acumen, a perfect pairing that brings out the best in each other and, in turn, in the music itself.

Tired Girls is nine songs rich in story and a reminder to trust our guts, embrace our stories, and dance through it all, even when the world expects us to march. Hillburg brings a bit of magic to fellow explorers of the sonic universe. That’s the short of it!