3 Apr 2023
Danica Bryant - Single Review: Crush
30 Jun 2022 // A review by Kev Rowland
Here we have the lead single from Danica
Bryant’s forthcoming EP, Ego Death, and if this is fully representative,
then that is something to look out for. For a young artist she has already had
considerable success, mentoring with Bic Runga while also gaining a support
slot for Elton John on his ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour, and while she has
already tasted success on the NZ Hot Singles Chart, I am sure this is going to
head the same way. This is one of those sweet pop numbers which have a rock
edge, hooks aplenty, but while it sounds as if butter would not melt in her
mouth, Danica is actually singing in the chorus, “You’re the type of man I’d
only like to crush”.
Her lyrics are wonderful as they contrast so strongly with the sweetness of the sound being created. The focus is very much on her vocals, but the arrangement is excellent with nuances added here and there, while the use of double and triple tracking on the vocals works very well indeed. There is also plenty of space, with the song containing different sections which reset the ear, allowing Danica to really provide emphasis on her vocals. For me, the only downside is the percussion which does not push the song along like it should, but that does feel like nit-picking in a number which is a real earworm with lyrics many women I am sure would relate to. She is touring from the end of August through September, and if you want pop with sweet vocals which have a real edge and are lyrically deep then that should not be missed.
Rating:
( 4 / 5 )
About Danica Bryant
Gigging from age twelve, Bryant's career ripened when Smokefree Rockquest awarded Dizzy the National APRA Lyric Award in 2018. The following year, Bryant won Play It Strange’s national 'Who Loves Who' contest, was a finalist in their Lion Foundation Songwriting Competition, and received mentorship from music legend Bic Runga.
After opening for Kiwi legends like Jason Kerrison and Paul Ubana Jones, Bryant was cherry picked to support Elton John on his ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour. The opportunity harvested her debut EP Cider with Tiny Triumph Recordings, as she moved to the big smoke in Wellington, New Zealand. Rounding out the year, Bryant took part in APRA's Songhubs course, writing and producing with major artists such as Matthew Young and Estère. Her 2021 single Heart Eyes debuted to immense fanfare with Radio New Zealand and set the stage for successful funding with NZ On Air that September.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Danica Bryant
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