New Zealand born and San Diego-based singer songwriter, Estella Dawn, keeps things rolling with her 9th single of 2022 titled “Follow”. Taking things down a notch, she keeps things simple with a more delicate song that is heartfelt and reflective.
Led by the warm tones of an acoustic guitar, Dawn’s voice pairs perfectly with gentle melodies that float with easy upon the musical surface. Channeling the soft sides of various pop icons like Taylor Swift and Halsey, she demonstrates a level of restraint and emotional connection that is palpable. It’s a more minimalist approach than we’re used to seeing from her, but it fits elegantly.
Estella seems focused on more on kindness and companionship, which results in comforting mixture that is warm and inviting. There is still an openness and vulnerability that comes through, but any sense of danger is overridden by the soft touch of her musical approach. Even with the introduction of drums and backing vocals, it maintains a gentle demeanor that brings a new depth to her repertoire.
With this unplugged approach, Estella Dawn lays herself bare and allows herself the luxury of going with the flow. You can get everything you need from this song from face value alone, everything is laid out like a tender heart on the sleeve of a sweater. There’s no attempt to be anything other than herself in this moment, and the authenticity that emanates from her cascading vocals is utterly captivating.
“Follow” is available now on major streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music and on the Alchemical Records Multigenre Mixture playlist on Spotify.
Charlie Maybee is a dancer, musician, educator, and writer based in Charleston, South Carolina who currently teaches with the Dance Program at the College of Charleston. His primary work as an artist is with his performing collective, Polymath Performance Project, through which he makes interdisciplinary performance art that centers tap dance as the primary medium of expression and research. He also currently plays rhythm guitar for the Charleston-based punk band, Anergy, and releases music as a solo artist under the name Nox Eterna.
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Alchemical Records is a Washington, D.C. based music publication. We cover the Washington, D.C., Baltimore and Richmond, VA metro area music scenes, including band interviews, articles about your favorite musicians, new music and concert dates.
