Sienna Spiro Steals The Show in Debut Album
I had first discovered Sienna Spiro from a video of her singing a song she had written called “The Visitor”. I was instantly floored by the captivating instrumental along with the tone and emotion within her voice. Upon finding it I probably watched the video 10 times in a row; afterwards I kept finding myself coming back to it as it was something that stuck in my mind and deeply resonated with me both lyrically and sonically. At the time, the song was something that had not been released nor even had a release date announced. At the time of writing this however, that song had not only garnered a lot of attention but it had also been included in a debut album that explores heartbreak and longing not only in a new lyrical exploration but in a timeless and ethereal instrumental one as well.
Upon pressing play the album had started with something that I did not expect — Nikki Giovanni’s 1975 spoken word poem “My House”. The poem discusses personal freedom and the autonomy of ones self in a romantic relationship and within falling in love. It was a beautiful beginning and could not have been more perfect as I feel as though that theme is the central thesis of the album. The opening track “This is My House” included a very soft and swingy jazz feel almost as though you were at a club with a band playing while everyone slow danced around the room. Throughout the instrumental and vocal there was a laid back feel to it that didn’t feel lazy but instead felt peaceful. The song entails building herself back up after being hurt in a relationship but knowing that she has the peace and emotional stability to build herself back up and continue to be a better and more free version of herself. One of my favorite moments throughout the song was when she had layered and echoed her vocals which almost made it feel as though the different versions and parts of herself was recalling the relationship and all of the different experiences she had endured to reach this almost harmonious conclusion. This feeling continues to be solidified by the outro with the piano and guitar that has a light and dreamy quality before it is eventually resolved at the end.
“We’re Not In Love” begins the explanation and exploration of the hurt and emotional turmoil experienced. The cello line at the beginning sets the tone with a melancholy melody from the deep timbre of the notes contrasting to Spiro’s higher notes. The song narrates wondering why a relationship is one sided and why she feels the love for the person while they don’t. Although the vocal line is fairly repetitive throughout the verses and chorus the song continues to build through the orchestral accompaniment through different dynamics within the volume and the speed of which they play. The orchestra and piano lines within the songs are something that I will always commend Sienna for as they are always so beautiful and fitting with the feelings that she strives to convey throughout each of her songs. Ending the song with a beat of silence giving the listener a moment to stomach the emotional turmoil they just choked down along with her processing the possibility of having to let her lover go when she still feels so much for them. I had assumed this would be followed by another slow a ballad however, I was pleasantly surprised when what had played was a poppy-er upbeat track that still held that same narrative of overcoming aversion with a significant other. She knows that what she has compared to what she romanticizes in her head but ultimately knows that it is not healthy, “So I sing just to know I’m alive/And I cried all the tears I could cry/If happiness is just an illusion/You were the best I ever had”. The track includes a strong infectious drum beat; a nice sonic contrast between the song’s somber yet hopeful lyrics.
“Die On This Hill” was another track that I had heard before the album was released however, in the context of the album it held so much more power especially following the songs that had came before it. This song in the album felt like a breaking point for Spiro as the song continued to build through the piano and the way that different instruments were brought into the production as the song grew and grew until it came to a head in the bridge. Here is where we really begin to see Spiro’s vocal prowess as before in the songs she displayed beautiful runs and riffs but here she showcased her mixed belt and strong vocal control while singing about how she’s so loyal and willing to help this person even though being with this person is breaking her down, “I’ll take my pride, stand here for you/No I’m not blind just seeing it through/You’d take my life just for the thrill/I’ll take tonight and die on this hill/I always will”. As I continued to listen to each song I was greatly impressed by how cohesive every song on the album was. The album as a whole felt like entries straight from a diary as very evident in “He’s Not My Baby, I’m His”. Another contrasting sonically upbeat tune with a strong drum beat and catchy piano melody playing as she sings about the experience of being in a relationship with an older man and the power dynamic and control that came of that. It is something that was done very well creatively as I feel as though so many other songs with this topic tend to be more sullen and somber yet this one had a twinge of playfulness that shows the excitement of the idea of the age difference with the trouble that comes from it as well.
The track “Pure” was in my opinion the most raw and vulnerable songs on the album as Spiro discussed all of her depression, fears, and anxiety and how it not only affected her personal life but her music and the way that she worked as well. It was a beautiful tell all of every dark aspect of life and deeply relatable to anyone who may be struggling in a similar aspect. The tender guitar melody paired with the lyrics only became more intense as the orchestra was added in; a skill that Spiro adds to her work again and again but somehow knows how to do it in new and interesting ways so it feels like a punch to the gut every time. This is extremely evident in “The Visitor” with the breathtaking string lead in followed by the soft and heart wrenching piano melody. The song truly encapsulates not only the album as a whole but the overall feeling of being wanted. This song has some of Spiro’s best vocal moments and you can truly hear the emotion in her voice almost as if she’s pleading with the individual she’s singing about, “Say that you love me, say I’m all you need/In the back of my mind I know I’m temporary/You’re holding me for the night/For some pleasure if that’s all we are/Know I’ll always be your visitor”.
“Time, You & Me” has such a cinematic feel to it listening to it all I could picture was an intense romantic scene between two people as it played. The guitar paired with the strings felt so intricate and big giving it a sensual atmosphere. This all seemed very fitting considering the subject matter of the song being the acceptance and enjoying the moment of a relationship even if it isn’t something that will last forever. In my personal opinion I find it to be one of Spiro’s most interesting songs sonically and lyrically and my favorite off of the album. This was then followed with a song that not only brings you to tears over the sadness of someone but the fact that you can also grow from this as well; a dynamic that is hard to juggle yet Spiro does it well. “You Stole the Show” is another strong song that discusses the longing for someone but also finding your light after they leave and learning to let go of performing to appease them and others. The song is not only intense due to the instrumental but the lyrics are some of the best I believe she’s written, “Wrap me in your arms again/The adrenaline makes me shiver/Show me that you’re genuine, that I’m safe again /That you came in different”.
The album concludes with a beautiful dreamy and hopeful track “Mono No Aware” that although is softer and less dynamic than others on the record it still had the building orchestra and vocals however this time instead of it being screaming for help or for someone to listen it is instead spreading the hope that she feels. It is a beautiful final set of thoughts to the story that was told previously and taking life and love for what it is as nothing is ever permanent but what can be is the memories that you have, “It’s okay to fall and turn blue/It’s okay to love and okay to lose/But the beauty is you don’t have to choose”.
Sienna Spiro has proved time and time again that she is an artist who knows what she wants to create and is doing it in new and interesting ways that evoke a serious and raw emotion from the listener through her vulnerable and real storytelling. Although this album is her debut I anticipate many more to come and truly believe that she is the next big pop artist of this generation.
