I am extremely grateful to Phoebe Bridgers for seemingly inspiring an unending number of generations of young women to pick up an instrument and write songs. I’d be very surprised if Laila Smith wasn’t a fan. Her new tune – Diorama – is embedded with all the emotion, intrigue and soulful spirit that Ms. Bridgers employs so well. It also reminds us a little bit of the lesser-known (but also wildly wonderful) Irish songstress Sorcha Richardson. Anyone who likes this should check her out.
Anyway, on to the task at hand… Diorama is a thoroughly enjoyable song as it is. On its own. At face value. It’s a wonderful and ambitious piece of alt-americana that’s flecked with elements of indie, folk, rock and electronica. It’s got gentle guitars that ultimately end up getting cut up by grittier contrasting tones. Occasional plucked notes that compliment the previously existing sounds well – adding a lot to the song whilst using very little and an impactful, almost 80s sounding, Haim-esque combination of driving bass and pounding drums. It’s an undeniable treat for the ears…
But on top of all this, Laila has “created a digital twin of the physical diorama featured in the album art – an explorable environment where fans manipulate a miniature version of me through rooms filled wit”. And for this reason alone it deserves our attention. 10/10 for effort and ingenuity. Navigable album covers. What a time to be alive.
Written by Kinda Grizzly
