Album Review
Dianña is Back with New Christmas Single
With the graceful demeanor of a classic country crooner, Dianña draws us into her inescapable melodic web in the new single “Missing You Underneath the Mistletoe,” an ode to the holiday season and a tribute to the sumptuous sounds of winter. “Missing You Underneath the Mistletoe” has the feel of something straight out of the classic American songbook, and yet its foundations aren’t marred in a lot of familiar themes we’ve heard a hundred times before.
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Undaunted by the notion of having to live up to all of those other recording artists who took a crack at this genre every December, Dianña decadently adds a country nuance to this composition’s boxy beat and makes it feel not only like a taste of the holidays akin to eggnog but also like a glimpse into her artistic palate as we’ve never heard it before. She doesn’t hold anything back from us in this new single, and if you love Christmas as much as I do you can consider this track required listening all month long.
Dianña is so patient in the execution of her verses that her musical profile has much more in common with the vocal standards singers of the early 20th century than it does with many of her peers. She’s decidedly more restrained than anyone in contemporary pop, yet she has this intrepid nature as a performer that makes her ambitious goals seem a little easier to reach.
“Missing You Underneath the Mistletoe” demands a certain amount of nimbleness from the singer of its tender words, but rather than trying to cross the finer points of the song with a lot of vibrato-filled showing off, she glides through the prose without ever attacking its more difficult twists and turns. For someone with the skillset that Dianña has there’s no need to embellish the melody with unneeded bells and whistles. She’s letting the groove of this piece do all the work for her and merely adding her vocal stylings as a finishing touch.
There’s so much color and rich texture to this recording that I could spend hours trying to analyze its deeper intricacies. Dianña is very good at sewing more minute details together in the fabric of her songs, and though she could have gone with something more streamlined, she put just as much effort into making these ridges feel larger than life.
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We’re nudged closer to the flame in her heart with the utterance of each syllable, and instead of feeling like we’re hearing a tired old Christmas song that’s been played at one too many parties, it’s like we’re experiencing the same joy that children feel when they come dashing towards the tree on Christmas morning.
If you haven’t already done so, I highly recommend securing a copy of “Missing You Underneath the Mistletoe” this December; Dianña offers us one of the best songs of the holiday season without wrapping it in all the commercial ribbons we’re used to. For what I look for in this genre, she’s hit the spot and then some.
Babette Cook
Album Review
Big O redefines artistic evolution with “When it’s Not Said, But Done” album
Big O’s “When it’s Not Said, But Done” is a whisper of transformation narrated through rhythm, texture, and space. Across its fifteen tracks, spanning just under forty-seven minutes, Big O sacrifices flash for feeling and ego for essence.
The production feels like an artist who has finally quit chasing something external and is instead listening inward. The flow of the album is methodical but organic, with each track leading into the other as if they were diary entries. On “Free Spirit,” Big O creates a soundscape that embodies freedom in action, with rhythms that propel you forward. It’s one of those rare songs that can be at once contemplative and propulsive, with a slow revelation. And also, “New Found Joy” is an anthem for rebirth.
Big O’s production vision here is sweeping and cinematic, but also intimate. The presence of live musicians gives an organic texture. Jeronimo G’s xylophone on track nine tolls like an intimate conversation, while IB Delight’s saxophone on track ten blows satisfying warmth and longing into the mix. These collaborative moments are the crucial parts of Big O’s unfolding language.
Every choice, from the minimal artwork by Andriyan Robby to the in-house mixing and mastering by Big O himself, is consistent with the album’s spirit of transformational thought. In “When it’s Not Said, But Done,” Big O has created a statement on silent courage. It is an album for those who know that, in reality, real change does not need to be shouted from the mountaintops, but only heard, felt, and lived.
Album Review
W.C. Beck delivers a balance of stillness and introspection on ”A Mostly Quiet Life”
Singer-songwriter W.C. Beck has long been admired for his reflective storytelling and innovative approach that transcends traditional musical genres. His latest album, “A Mostly Quiet Life,” invites you into a realm where quiet moments possess considerable significance. The album spans slightly over 35 minutes and comprises eight tracks, offering a delicate yet bold exploration of life’s softer spaces, infused with subtle rock undertones amidst Beck’s signature mellow vocal style.
At first listen, two tracks prominently establish the thematic duality of the album: “Every Drop of Water” and “Blue Umbrella.” The former features a slow-burning intensity, built around subtle guitar textures and Beck’s emotive vocal delivery. It captures the essence of meditation, reminding us that even the smallest gestures and overlooked moments shape who we are. Conversely, “Blue Umbrella” introduces a different shade of his artistry, filled with wistful imagery and an almost cinematic essence, blending melancholy with underlying hope.
While firmly rooted in folk traditions, Beck incorporates elements of Americana, indie-rock, and singer-songwriter balladry, resulting in a sound that feels both timeless and uniquely his own. Unlike many records that tend to emphasize either softness or grit, Beck creates an atmosphere where both can coexist, allowing for reflection without losing momentum. With this release, W.C. Beck not only strengthens his reputation as a master storyteller but also reminds us that even in a fast-paced world, there is profound power in living quietly.
The album fosters introspection by exploring themes of solitude, ephemeral love, and the beauty that can be found in stillness. It transcends the notion of a collection of songs and is more akin to a journal, a quiet yet deeply expressive chapter in Beck’s musical journey. “A Mostly Quiet Life” serves as a compelling offering, ideally suited for late-night listening or those moments when life slows down enough to be genuinely appreciated. Beck illustrates that quiet doesn’t equate to stagnation; rather, it is within these hushed intervals that music can resonate most powerfully.
For more information about W.C. Beck, please visit [website].
CLICK HERE TO STREAM W.C. Beck’s ”A Mostly Quiet Life’‘ on Spotify.
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