EP Review : Cassidy Paris – Flirt

Review by Peter Coates – www.facebook.com/InsideEdgePhotography

CASSIDY PARISFLIRT EP
Out Now!

Australian teenage rock chick Cassidy Paris has just released her brand new 5-track EP titled ‘Flirt’.

The EP features the edgy pop-rock anthem, Wannabe (her 7th single at just 18yo), which sees Cassidy delivering a song based on personal experience about society’s obsession with popularity.

Cassidy has grown up with a classic hard rock playlist on constant loop, and has also been exposed to the likes of No Doubt, Avril Lavigne, Pink and Aussies The Veronicas and Tonight Alive as well – and this EP sees a fair cross-section of styles, from the insanely catchy pop rock of Wannabe which should be enormous on commercial radio worldwide, to the punchy dance-rock of Give Me Your L.O.V.E written solo by Paul Laine, with whom Cassidy has co-written all of the other tracks, which channels Lzzy Hale and adds a dose of Britney that makes a fantastic combination.

From early on, Cassidy has wanted to deliver a strong message through her music.  In 2018, she released Stand, a heartfelt song about ‘standing up for yourself’ as a young woman. Cassidy continues to deliver that message, promoting anti-bullying through performances at many schools around Melbourne, Australia and is an active campaigner for the worldwide ‘Metalheads Against Bullying’ organisation.

Wannabe has got it all, from a catchy guitar break, off-beat powerchord riff, tongue-in-cheek lyrics, groovy vocal effects and harmonies, and a cracking guitar solo from Stevie Janevski (the Radio Sun and Wicked Smile). This is a belter of a track that has the sort of star quality of Pat Benatar or Jenny Darren from the 1980’s, and has been brilliantly brought up to date.  

The opening of L.O.V.E has a bit of Lenny Kravitz and a Cameo-beat, and Cassidy delivers the lyrics with a snarl and a sneer that is totally real.  I suspect the drums may be sampled here, but sound immense, and provide just the right feel behind the guitars, allowing Cassidy to crush the lead vocals.  These two tracks are both superb, and could really see Ms. Paris find some broader global exposure 

The one song that doesn’t quite do it for me is Song For The Broken Hearted, which should be a powerful melodic rock belter, but I am not sure whether it is the production or the vocal range Cassidy is aiming for which misses the mark slightly.  This was recorded live at GM Sound Studios in Melbourne which may explain things a bit.  Not too different in style, but for me, way superior is Like I Never Loved You which powers along with a great guitar-hook, a gritty riff, and sees Cassidy’s voice absolutely smash the vocal line and harmonies with a clear and pure power that demonstrates a great set of pipes.

There is another live track bonus in Talk About It, with Cassidy again backed by Stevie J, Glen Cav and Jason Tyro from Wicked Smile, and this shows that despite her youth, Cassidy has a strong live voice, and can certainly mix it with the best of them.  This is another powerful pop-rock track, with a great chorus and some super-catchy accents built-in.

Cassidy has built up a strong connection with her growing worldwide fanbase that has already seen her perform in America and Japan.  She was also invited twice onto the line-up of the NWOCR (New Wave of Classic Rock) WebFest series, promoting a wide range of rock acts through their online community and live-streamed events.  She hopes to be over in the UK in person in 2022 for a bunch of shows when travel from Australia becomes a thing again!

Useful Links:

Website :   www.cassidyparis.com 

Facebook :  www.facebook.com/cassidyparisofficial 

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/Cassidyparisofficial 

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/c/CassidyParisOfficial