Sandra Donald - Sunglasses in My Pocket
Soul, Pop
United Kingdom
Overall Impression: British singer/songwriter Sandra Donald ushers in the summer with an undeniable warmth in her latest release, "Sunglasses In My Pocket." This mid-tempo, pop-soul track builds on a vibrant, piano-driven arrangement, where compelling melodies are lovingly supported by a steady rhythm section and meticulously layered female backing vocals. Donald's rich alto is the perfect voice for her uplifting message, delivering lyrics centered around blossoming hope and new beginnings that are sure to resonate with a broad audience. With her distinctive jazz-informed vocal style and auspicious songwriting, Donald has crafted more than just a song; it's a quintessential anthem for sun-drenched days and optimistic horizons. "Sunglasses In My Pocket" is available now as a single on all major streaming platforms.
Strongest Point(s): Excellent production, solid mix. Nice piano trio sound. Great pop song structure and chord progression that allows for simple yet compelling melodies. Love the middle section that starts around 1:29; the rhythm section dropping out forces the listener to focus in on the vocal. Incredible job of arranging the backing vox, they really add a great rhythmic and harmonic layer that brings this tune to life. Amazing vocal performance; your impressive range and innate jazz phrasing are both on display here, adorning the melodic top line with lots of wonderful personal touches and soulful decorations. Outstanding lyrical content; you managed to capture the buoyant feeling of hopeful excitement and anticipation that comes with the changing of the seasons, and then distill it down to one simple phrase that embodies the spirit of summer. Tremendous track all around, brilliant work on this one!
Target Audience Appeal: Fans of Pop/Rock, RnB, Soul, Pop, Pop-Soul.
Artist target suggestions: Norah Jones, Corrine Bailey Rae, Adele, Patti LaBelle, Nina Simone, Jill Scott, Alicia Keys, Lady Gaga, Macy Gray, Dionne Warwick, Jamila Woods, Joy Denalane, Roberta Flack
Interested in having your Song Reviewed by our Professional Staff? Head to your RadioAirplay.com dash and click Song Reviews under the Special Offers menu!
About the Reviewer:
Steven Azami is a multi-instrumentalist with over 25 years of experience in the music industry. Both as a touring/session player and as a producer, his career has spanned nearly every genre from bluegrass to jazz, from rock to reggae. In addition, his work as a music educator has allowed him to cultivate and foster talent within the next generation of musical explorers.