Tanya-Lee Davies Returns With An Instant Classic
An immersive new single from Tanya-Lee Davies comes through with her signature vintage sense of tonality, along with a thick, orchestral undertone that comes through, bringing cinematic backbone and a sentiment that I feel like a lot of us can actually see and relate to, all delivered with a bit of a heavy hand lyrically and a soft performance, vocally.
"Valentines Day" is a very unique track in the sense that it's focused on telling a story that starts off with some of the consumerism that Valentine's Day brings. She sings about shiny cards with poems in them, tables for two at the restaurants, and all the other attributes that go along with this particular holiday.
It's coming from a perspective that feels almost like a person that is sort of tired of all those aspects. Maybe it's just about being tired of the holiday itself.
But then, as the story unfolds, there's some light at the end of the tunnel, and the tune sort of changes.
This is a really interesting way to tell the story because, although it still comes from a very personal feeling perspective, it's very descriptive, and she still tells that story from a third-person point of view.
It's beautifully done, and the way she articulates those lyrics is very particular. She's got a wonderful way of letting the story itself sort of whisk you up and put you in the moment.
The instrumentation is absolutely gorgeous. As I mentioned earlier, Tanya-Lee is an artist who, for me, is known to put out tracks that have this amazingly classic or vintage set of tones and textures.
This piece has acoustic and electric guitars, strings that sort of flow through the ether of the song and give that classic cinematic feel, along with what sounds like xylophone, and more, just creating a very lush and full-bodied feeling piece of music.
The soundscape is something that you end up getting swallowed up by. I mean that in the best way possible. This is a beautiful piece of work that is delivered with heart and character. This might be the most attaching aspect of the entire thing.
She's coming from a few different places here, and they're all relatable. The song is totally connective.
As the song opens up more, you have slide guitars that give you little hints of Southern underbelly, leaning into a slightly Americana feel, but that old-school, sort of '60s and early '70s overtone and aesthetic is always there. I think this also has to do with the kind of strings that are in place here, along with how she performs vocally.
She has a very graceful way of performing. There's an elegance to how the entire song works and flows. Her vocals complement all the instrumentation and vice versa.
I absolutely adore the sections where she harmonizes because she doesn't overdo it. She tastefully places these harmonies in at just the right times so that you have certain lines of the song that are accentuated.
It's those little things that let you know she's paying a lot of attention to those details. There was thought that was put into the arrangement, how the whole thing would come through, and even the mix of the song is imperative with music like this, simply because, again, she's capturing this very classic aesthetic and she's doing it well.
This, to me, blended some of the best elements of contemporary pop, folk, Americana, and more, rolling them all into one song that comes through with a depictive and detailed honesty.
She is really able to paint a picture in your head as you listen through. I find that to be insanely refreshing. The way the song moves forward lyrically and musically both go hand in hand.
By the time you get to the end of the track, you can feel a lot of that emotion shining through, the whole song is in full swing in terms of the intensity and layers of instrumentation hitting, and you are engulfed by the entire thing.
For me, it was a beautiful experience, and if you are not really familiar with the work of Tanya-Lee Davies, then I suggest this as an amazing song to introduce you with.
If you love this, then I would certainly suggest listening to last year's "You Know It's Autumn," as the song also leans into that vintage set of gorgeous tones and performance.
This is music with a message, done with personality, and again, a wonderfully woven attention to detail that creates an atmosphere that feels strangely inviting.
Listen to this track with headphones on, as it's absolutely the best way to take it all in and remember where you heard it first.
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