08. Home by Lexie Modica

Originally published July 8, 2024

About the Artist

After taking a quick trip across the pond, we’re going to come back to the states for a moment. It is my privilege to introduce the world of Americana and Folk-Alt Rock to Lexie Modica. Representing the twin cities in the great state of Minnesota, home of powerhouse legends like the late and legendary musician, Prince, the outstanding 90’s grunge band Soul Asylum, and lest not forget Gordon Bombay and the legendary “Flying V,” Lexie stands to make a name for themselves all on their own. 

A recent graduate of John Hopkins University, Lexie  originated as a classical musician and studied voice on a full scholarship for music. After school, they began work on blending their classical roots with music that inspired them like Americana sensation, Brandi Carlile, the super group boygenius, and Chappell Roan.

After a short break to travel, Lexie plans to start recording at Minnehaha Recording Company with the intention of releasing an EP by the end of the year. They will be performing on August 20th at Peavy Plaza, so if you are around the Twin Cities, go check them out! 

Home

Home is the debut single of independent artist, Lexie Modica. With a run-time of 3 minutes, 19 seconds, this ballad has a foundation of organic instrumentation, the structure of well thought out lyrical, melodic, and harmonic vocals, and it builds to a mellifluous ending; just like a house or a home. It is firmly secured in the genres of Americana and Folk Rock; utilizing a solo violin as the lead instrumental part. 

The Music

Lexie starts us off with a single solo violin, acoustic guitar and their voice. Vocally, they offer a pure delivery, flowing like a stream, with hints of vibrato in places. Then, the verse closes with an accent of backing vocals and an accompaniment of strings. This leads into the support of the percussion part, bass part, and a clean electric guitar. This folk-alt sound could easily transition into a more traditional alternative rock, but doesn’t. “Home” has a musicality to it that resembles earlier work by Lisa Loeb, an artist who famously became the first ever independent artist to top the billboard charts. The delivery of their lyrics is clean, enunciated, and sweet. It is a very endearing melody. Even the build is polite. The melody leaves nothing but feelings of hope and positivity.

The lyrics

Lexie is very much a storyteller and what they’ve given us is a story of two lovers who are either taking some time apart or , how I perceived it, they’re breaking up. “You hold me close as I stare at the ceiling/Breath syncopated with the beat of your heart.” I really enjoy the description of the sensory reception of this moment. At first listen this sounds heartwarming and describes a closeness between the two characters. However, syncopated is to be “off beat,” so as we listen on, it can be interpreted that there is something off in their closeness. 

They then speak of a moment where one partner left another waiting over an hour for them, there was an apology and forgiveness given just to appease one another. Another line I really enjoy is “I hold my own on the phone with your mother/ I don’t know what you told her but she’s glad that I’m home.” It is so relatable because we have all been in that place where we have to put on a brave face for somebody. The anxiety that is felt, hoping we don’t give ourselves away and reveal our pain, wondering if they already know anyway. I thought this was brilliant. 

They end the song with the climactic statement, “I don’t think I’ll miss you but I hope you’re ok,” which is a bittersweet conclusion that lifts the protagonist past this chapter and gives them the strength to turn the page, having shown they’ve made it through the grieving process.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, I can’t come up with a critical thing to say here. I think this is a very powerful song, a very beautiful song, and it is familiar and original, all at the same time. I would like to hear more from Lexie and, from the sounds of it, we should certainly expect to.