VIEVANESSA - Smile
Soul, Pop, AAA
New York, United States
Overall Impression: Lending a fresh take to a tried and true standard, Vievanessa ushers listeners into an ethereal and expansive soundscape with her rendition of "Smile". Most notably performed by none other than Nat King Cole, "Smile" takes a very different appearance through Vievanessa's creative lens - trading out the familiar smooth strings and bright ivories for warbling synth tones and a sporadically employed electric guitar lead as Vievanessa sends her soaring, sonorous voice sailing into the void.
Strongest Point(s): The most commanding element of Vievanessa's "Smile" is her vocal prowess! Expert control and an artistic application give this cover a very appealing, modern edge - enhanced dramatically by the sparse and minimalistic instrumental support. Taking such a familiar tune and stripping it down to a few instrumental sounds allows the listener to more thoroughly bask in the melody and lyrics, and even re-contextualizes the theme in a way that grants it more emotional gravity than the most popular renditions. Excellent exploration of dissonance in the climactic moments of the song, and all around a deeply memorable listening experience!
Target Audience Appeal: Fans of well-known and time-honored performances of "Smile" may find Vievanessa's experimentally minimalistic rendition to be uncomfortable - but it is for those exact qualities that discerning and adventurous listeners will be able to immerse themselves in the soundscape she has so carefully crafted! Offering a fresh and artfully-wrought revival of a timeless classic, Viavanessa's "Smile" showcases her sparkling vocal skill and fearless creative drive in a manner that will have audacious listeners on the lookout for whatever comes next!
Artist target suggestions: Lianne La Havas, Cleo Sol, Alicia Keys, Rhye, HNNY, Raveena, Kimbra, Charlotte Day Wilson, Mazzy Star, Fousheé, The Internet, Thundercat, Steve Lacy, Dirty Projectors, U.S. Girls, Sia, Tirzah, Parenthetical Girls, Lana Del Rey, No Joy, Xiu Xiu, The Music Tapes
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About the Reviewer:
Jon Wright is a trained multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and music educator with nearly twenty years of experience in the field. Working with musicians and their individual sounds is his passion and profession, and he strives to interact with and understand every aspect of the production process - from theory and songwriting to recording and mastering. He continues to teach students of all ages and is currently collaborating with artists in a wide variety of genres.