Each Measure Feature: Talon David
FEATURE
Is it just me, or did some of your favorite bops come out during the COVID years? I suspect for some artists it was the solitude, for others the freedom of musical agency, or maybe the sheer pressure that boiled into something truly tasty. For Talon David, it was the all-too-relatable theme of restlessness that was the starting point for her newest single, “Paradise State of Mind.” Talon David dives into that all-too-relatable theme, telling a vulnerable story of mental health in a peppy pop anthem with impressive solo mastery.
Despite the down feelings that accompany cabin fever, David opts for an upbeat and positive melody that resists the expectation for “anxiety-mongers.” Delivered with crystal-clear vocals, she faces the world of questions and confusion with honesty and a positivity that lifts the pop genre to an exciting level of sophistication. Accented with the uplifting tropical feel of the baritone ukulele, her simple and beautiful lyrics remind us that no, we don’t need to all hide under rocks in the bad times. In fact, one can even slow down, squeeze out a smile, and even find community in those moments: “There’s no reason to move fast when I’m hanging with my kind.” Where did this positivity come from?
David shares that at the time of writing this she was deep in the COVID year and itching for adventure, which was all too close and yet unreachable while slogging through her job as an airport barista. I appreciate the slow cook on this song, much like its process as a testament of patience and intentionality. It was only years afterwards that she pieced together the fragments recorded between several home studios between her home country, the USA, and her newly situated residence in the UK. She only deepens personal connection to the song with her impressive backup vocals dancing together as the floaty backdrop throughout. Self-arranged and expertly layered, David’s self-motivation is inspiring. And it comes as no surprise that her musical history traces back to her first song at 14 years old, followed a few years after by winning the GRAMMY Foundation's Teens Make Music Contest. Her versatile voice is also gifted in the voiceover world, as she constantly finds new expressive modes for her main instrument.
From teen prize winner to airport barista to solo traveler and home recorder, David’s exciting future seems far from the restless blues she once fought.
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