Silvi - “Pained”
Singer-songwriter Silvi from West Lothian, Scotland, has just released the smouldering and evocative “Pained.”
“Pained” is definitely one of those compositions that brings to mind the David Arnold or Thomas Newman scored James Bond themes, holding that same cinematic, blue-eyed soul crossed with symphonic rock vibe. Or maybe makes you think of the path Amy Winehouse may have chosen to walk if she was still around. Putting the shaken martinis, slow-motion gun fire or the winged eyeliner aside, this cinematic number is all about the vocal performance.
Silvi confidently dominates this track in all the right ways with her extraordinarily rich, sassy vocals. Smoky, soulful and with vulnerability, the delivery shifts from conversational nuances to gut punching power with elegance and ease. It is a vocal that shivers, aches but also stares back at you in a way that is completely unfiltered. In short, Silvi gives a performance that is simply unforgettable.
Musically, the arrangement mirrors the ebb and flow of Silvi’s performance. With strong hints of classic, syncopated vintage soul, the music swells and retreats in a compelling dance of emotion and drama. Forming the backbone is the lush, garage rock leaning guitar work. Starting restrained it soon breaks into full assault with razor sharp, volatile textures that act as a counterpoint to the slickness underneath– all before we get to the sweeping, vivid, layered strings.
Despite the Bond theme parallels that can undoubtedly be drawn from “Pained,” this track lyrically is no hero’s anthem, but, instead, feels like a battle worn soul’s confession. Acting as a letter to your fears the words address anxiety, insecurities and the feelings of bitterness and suffocation that can arise when reflecting on the aspects of your personality that can prevent you from reaching your full potential.
Sophisticated, confessional, and darkly elegant, “Pained” is a wholly satisfying track filled with rousing instrumentation that is styled with a classical timelessness that only serves to lift Silvi’s vocals to sky-high heights.