Lotta St Joan - “Once”
Photo by Victoria Byt
Berlin-based singer-songwriter Lotta St Joan has just released the mesmerising, cinematic indie folk song “Once.” This captivating track is a striking blend of intimacy and grandeur.
“Once” is built around gentle acoustic guitar that establishes an inviting and contemplative atmosphere. The intimate tones are warm, mellow, and rich in texture. As the track progresses, layers of orchestral elements are allowed to gracefully dance and wrap around the guitar, rising and falling in cinematic elegance. Splashes of subtle electric piano are also used to gently pad out the composition.
At the half way point, percussive elements are introduced to enhance the song’s sense of forward momentum and lift the track’s dynamics. Shaker enhances the groove whilst the drums give a pleasing spacious quality. At the climax of “Once,” trumpet takes centre stage, consolidating the majestic vibes with thoughtful, rousing waves of sound.
The vocals of St Joan on “Once” instill a sense of soulful vulnerability. The gentle but expressive delivery is incredibly melodic and also has an extremely lush, vibrato-like quality. The gorgeous performance delivers the well-written lyrics with a pleasing sense of grace. Lyrically, the track is described by St Joan as “a self-flagellating account of the loneliness of love.”
“Once” is a truly cinematic indie folk song. It also demonstrates the ability of Lotta St Joan to create powerful pieces of emotive art and if you have not already done so, you really need to press that play button.