Review: ‘Perfectly Imperfect’ stays true to authenticity

Young artist has bright start after winning ‘America’s Got Talent’

Review: Perfectly Imperfect stays true to authenticity

Twelve-year-old singer Grace VanderWaal recently won “America’s Got Talent” season 11 and released her debut EP, “Perfectly Imperfect,” on Friday, Dec. 2 with Columbia Records. She has gained more than one million followers on Instagram and her YouTube channel has grown to more than 831,000 subscribers. Not many 12 year olds are capable of achieving such amazing accomplishments.

VanderWaal’s EP features five original songs: “I Don’t Know My Name,” “Clay,” “Light the Sky,” “Beautiful Thing” and “Gossip Girl.” Her most famous song is “I Don’t Know My Name,” which is also her first original song the American people heard during America’s Got Talent and it has already become a classic. Viewers had previously heard early versions of four of the five songs during her several performances on the show. “Gossip Girl” was the only song that she had not previously performed in front of a large audience.

VanderWaal’s songs are all subtly changed with added lyrics that strengthen the overall feeling and sound of the EP. Because the songs are studio recorded, fans were skeptical if she was going to keep true to the artist they have come to love. But not to worry, VanderWaal stayed true to her authenticity and kept her quirkiness, which she displayed through her EP name choice “Perfectly Imperfect.”

Throughout the EP, fans are able to get a grasp of the way someone like VanderWaal perceives the world as a 12-year-old girl. For example, “Gossip Girl” is about the daily struggles of teenage friendships, and the song has quickly become a hit with her fans. “Clay” is another song many of VanderWaal’s fans can relate to as it talks about the world of bullying and how she doesn’t let it affect her life.

Despite the EP getting a large amount of positive feedback, some fans were disappointed to find out VanderWaal did not introduce any new songs. All of the songs on the EP can also be found throughout her YouTube channel, including the oldest version of “I Don’t Know My Name” published on Feb. 5, 2016.

The EP only contains a total of 17 minutes worth of music, though this is only the start of her future career working with Columbia Records. The record company has also worked with Beyonce and Adele whom are both at the top of their respected music genres. VanderWaal possesses the potential to gain the level of fame and success that these women have, and with the help of Columbia Records one day she might accomplish this goal.