With her latest release “Prettiest Girl of Heaven,” Caroline Strickland has crafted a magnetic blend of introspection and emotional fervor, setting the stage for her upcoming EP Martha’s Calling, due out March 7th via Good Eye Records. This alt-rock track embodies a delicate balance between raw desire and personal growth, offering a nuanced exploration of self-empowerment and the longing for something transcendent.
Strickland, originally from Virginia and now calling Brooklyn home, has always had a gift for capturing the complexities of human emotion through her songwriting. “Prettiest Girl of Heaven” is no exception. The track immediately captures attention with its shimmering blend of twangy guitars and evocative lyrics. The sound itself is both rooted in the alt-rock tradition and refreshingly contemporary, with layers of lush instrumentation that never overshadow the track’s core emotional honesty.
At the heart of the song lies a sense of yearning. Strickland’s lyrics speak to a deep desire, but not in a way that feels one-dimensional or passive. There’s a vulnerability to the way she expresses admiration and longing, with a clarity that feels almost confessional. The opening lines set the tone, painting an intimate portrait of admiration: “I see you there, like an angel standing in the light / I think I’ve been waiting for you all my life.” These words set up a central theme of the song—desire not just for another person, but for a deeper sense of self-realization. It’s a longing that comes from a place of knowing what’s missing, but also understanding that its fulfillment is ultimately an internal journey.
Musically, “Prettiest Girl of Heaven” is an understated masterpiece. The twangy guitars serve as a perfect backdrop for Strickland’s voice, which glides effortlessly between soft, tender verses and more impassioned choruses. The refrain, which repeats the title of the song, is particularly striking in its execution. As Strickland layers her vocals, the effect is one of intense resonance, mirroring the emotional depth and complexity of the song’s themes. It’s a moment that doesn’t just punctuate the track—it elevates it, transforming what could be a simple love song into a reflection on the act of desiring and the pursuit of one’s truest self.
The production of the song is also worth noting. While the track is grounded in the familiar sonics of alt-rock, there’s a certain openness to it that feels expansive. The gentle interplay between the guitars, bass, and drums allows Strickland’s vocals to take center stage, yet the arrangement never feels bare. Instead, there’s a richness in the way the instruments subtly weave in and out of the song, creating a sense of movement that mirrors the internal transformations the lyrics describe.
Strickland’s songwriting talent is on full display in this track, and it’s clear that “Prettiest Girl of Heaven” is just a glimpse of what’s to come on Martha’s Calling. The song’s themes of desire, self-discovery, and personal growth resonate deeply, making it feel both intimate and universally relatable. There’s a certain vulnerability to the way Strickland opens herself up through her music, inviting listeners to experience their own reflections and realizations alongside her.
As the song builds to its final moments, there’s a sense of resolution, not necessarily in the sense of completing a journey, but in embracing its ongoing nature. “Prettiest Girl of Heaven” doesn’t offer all the answers—rather, it presents the beauty and complexity of the questions themselves. It’s a song that lingers long after it ends, much like the feeling of a desire left unresolved, yet ultimately liberating in its very existence.
For fans of emotive alt-rock and those who appreciate a songwriter unafraid to explore the depths of personal yearning, “Prettiest Girl of Heaven” marks a stunning high point in Caroline Strickland’s career. With Martha’s Calling on the horizon, it’s clear that Strickland is a rising force in the alt-rock scene, poised to capture hearts and minds with her raw, evocative songwriting and captivating performances.
