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Critically Acclaimed Songwriter Elisa Nicolas Re-embarks On Solo Career With New Single “No Answers”

Sophisticated pop singer songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Elisa Nicolas makes an unforgettable return to her solo music career – after a twelve year long hiatus – with her new single, “No Answers,” out now. This is the lead single off of her upcoming album, ‘Year of The Locust,’ releasing late October, 2021, in which fans can see the immense growth Nicolas has made over the course of a more-than-successful songwriting career. While taking a break from her own projects, Nicolas was busy contributing her songwriting and performance skills on over 45 works, cultivating her professional reputation, and refining her artistry. This single is the first taste of a gorgeously painstaking recount of the human experience, characteristic of some of music’s most profound songwriters like Joni Mitchell, Fiona Apple, and Nora Jones. “No Answers” tells the story of longing for reciprocity in a relationship; the raw artistry that comes through on this track effortlessly immerses listeners into an epic, emotional plea for intimacy by Nicolas.

The Canada born, Ohio raised Asian American displays her honed lyricism and storytelling abilities in this vocals led, guitar forward track. Steady acoustic guitar sets the foundation for the single, conveying passion and angst through heavy strumming and dissonant extensions. Joined by invigorating percussion as the song takes off, honeyed electric guitar adds a breezy glimmer, while bright background vocals and reverberant strings lend an irrefutable sense of epicness to this track. Masterful production and instrumentation coddle Nicolas’ somber lead vocal in colorful harmony tinged with grit; the artist relishes in the rarely found, yet highly sought after cohesion between performance, writing, and insight that makes a song come together in a difficult to articulate ‘magic.’

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For Nicolas, the anthemic melancholy emanating from this record finds its roots in the sexual misalignment of a relationship. “Take my hands, take my clothes, I can’t go it alone tonight,” she pleads in the second verse. She begs with a passionate exclaim  “Stop whispering, go higher,” before ending the verse in shattered disappointment, “then you’re gone before I take flight.” The chorus is an anthemic moment of frustration – thoughtfully built up to in the verses – in which Nicolas bellows in defeat, “there’s no answer to my questions.”

Nicolas approached this record from a multidisciplinary perspective as a songwriter, instrumentalist, producer, and engineer. The artist created this record over the course of years; she takes the time during the writing process to etch out ideas, marinate in them, and refine the ones she feels are most worth pursuing. After recording the bones of this project and stress testing the songs at gigs, Nicolas was able to pinpoint exactly where she wanted her music to go.

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In collaboration with her dream production team, Nicolas articulated her recount of the human experience exactly how she had envisioned. Main contributors are as follows: Jeffrey Ciampa (Happy Chichester, Megan Palmer, Grammy winner for production on Wayne Shorter projects) produced, mixed, and played bass and keys. Kim Rosen (Grammy winning engineer) mastered the record. Thomas Byran Eaton (Caitlin Canty, Miss Tess, Western Centuries), an imaginative guitar player and engineer, created surprising and unexpected colors throughout the course of the record, while singers Nikki Wonder, Megan Palmer, and Cathy Wicks lend epic background vocals. Though the COVID-19 Pandemic made the circumstances for the creation of this album less than convenient, through the assistance of friends in Nashville with recording gear at their disposal, Year of the Locust came together exactly how it was intended. Stream ‘No Answers’ on all major streaming platforms out now.

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Natalie is a journalism major with a focus on Entertainment and Music who aspires to become a Content Creator For Honk Magazine. Eventually, she wants to be the Publisher or Editor-in-Chief of a major Publishing House. She loves helping people find their voice and passion for writing and journalism, and she can always be found with coffee in hand, editing another article.

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Entertainment

Drake Gets Nostalgic, Sings Along to Classic Hit in Hilarious Close-Up Video

Drake

Drake, the global music sensation known for his chart-topping hits, isn’t afraid to show his goofy side. In a recent video making waves on the internet, the megastar was caught in a candid moment singing along to one of his old classics, “Feel No Ways” from the iconic Views album. The twist? The video was shot at an uncomfortably close angle, giving fans a hilarious and up-close look at the rapper’s impromptu performance.

Despite being one of the biggest names in the music industry, Drake has always maintained his sense of humor. Known for his associations with funny friends like Lil Yachty, the artist seems to enjoy a good laugh, even at his own expense. The video sparked a flurry of jokes and comments from fans, with some playfully poking fun at the close-up perspective.

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While some fans defended Drake’s right to celebrate his own music, acknowledging his journey since entering the scene in 2008, others reminisced about the Views era and expressed love for the featured track, “Feel No Ways.” Comments flooded in, highlighting the diverse opinions on the rapper’s playful moment of nostalgia.

Drake’s musical journey in 2023 has been nothing short of impressive. Following the release of his Scary Hours 3 EP, an extension of the acclaimed For All The Dogs album, Drake reclaimed the top spot on the Billboard 200. The EP not only showcased his musical prowess but also reignited some longstanding beefs, including subtle jabs at Joe Budden, Pusha T, and former ally turned foe, Kanye West.

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The EP’s tracks dominated the Hot 100 charts, with “You Broke My Heart” holding steady at number 58. Drake’s Spotify Wrapped numbers for the year further solidified his musical dominance, boasting over 11 billion streams from a whopping 195 million fans.

As fans continue to marvel at Drake’s achievements in 2023, the question lingers: What’s your take on Drake sharing a video of himself jamming out to his own throwback? Drop your thoughts in the comment section below and join the conversation!

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Ciara Sets Sights on Chart-Topping Glory, Aiming for Another R&B Triumph

Ciara

In the dynamic world of R&B, Ciara stands as a beacon of success, continually etching milestones into the industry’s rich history. Flashback to a pivotal moment 17 years ago when Ciara unleashed her sophomore masterpiece, “The Evolution.” Recently, the songstress took to Twitter to bask in the album’s glory, setting off a tidal wave of nostalgia among fans worldwide. Rated RNB chimed in, encapsulating the sentiments of admirers who fondly remembered the album’s profound impact on the R&B scene.

Amidst the celebration, Ciara herself added a personal touch, dropping a bombshell revelation: “Fun fact: This was my first #1 Album.” A symbolic milestone, underscoring the album’s role in propelling her career to new heights. “The Evolution” wasn’t just a compilation of songs; it was a sonic odyssey, a testament to Ciara’s artistic evolution both lyrically and musically. Far from a mere sequel, it was a bold statement, showcasing her maturity as an artist. The album seamlessly weaved R&B, hip-hop, and pop influences, captivating a diverse audience with hits like “Promise” and “Like a Boy,” demonstrating Ciara’s prowess in navigating varied musical styles while maintaining her distinct signature.

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Yet, Ciara’s tweet wasn’t confined to reliving past glories; it held a promise for the future. “My mission is to do it again,” she declared, unveiling her unyielding commitment to achieving another #1 album. This declaration speaks volumes about Ciara’s unwavering pursuit of excellence and her refusal to be bound by past achievements. A mindset resonating with both long-standing fans and those newly discovering her music.

As we commemorate the 17th anniversary of “The Evolution,” Ciara’s impact on the R&B genre proves timeless. Her ability to reinvent herself while staying true to her roots solidifies her status as a trailblazer. With a new mission on the horizon, fans eagerly anticipate the next chapter in her musical journey—one poised to be as groundbreaking as the album that started it all. Share your thoughts on Ciara’s musical evolution with us on Honk Magazine!

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