Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
Brighton has many things to be proud of, it is the untarnished jewel on the U.K.’s South Coast, the place in which places itself neatly between the extremes afforded the other towns and cities that run between Dover and the start of the unseen fifth country of the U.K. Cornwall. From its wonderful liberalism that many flock too with open arms to some of the architecture and art, Brighton is perhaps seen as the Liverpool of the South and in Dani Wilde, the Blues has perhaps their biggest hero in that part of the world.
Dani Wilde’s fourth studio album Songs About You is pertinent, relatable, female angst of the highest order and the muse, sometimes missed, perhaps even cheated upon by some, is not just visible, she positively radiates an unseen goodness that stalks the streets of Brighton and beyond. The gracious muse is significant, for who else would inspire such a woman to write songs that whilst soar and float with distinction, also rip the still beating heart out of the listener and set it free to visit the truth of many a burning question of how the truth of the world is hardly ever seen.
Moving Mountains may be the charity that Ms. Wilde is keenly associated with, but the music that that emanates from within the heart of musical darkness can also move the most stoniest of emotions to the point where a certain empathy can be found, a common ground that meets with a tear in the heart and a tear of forgotten truth forming in the eye.
With songs such as the apt Change Your Mind, the honesty of a certain loss that resounds in Change, Begging For Love and Let Me Be Your Sunshine and the brilliance that is polished and presented with the same appreciation as a smile offered on a day when all is going against you in Diamond In The Dark.
In some recordings there is a feeling that the artist is holding back something, that the natural reserve and modesty that cannot be curtailed, doesn’t allow the truth of the relationship between artist and listener to flow freely, in Songs About You, that free flowing nature, of offering yourself up completely and getting the same in return is to feel a love inspired.
A tremendous offering from the beautiful voice of Brighton, it is a calling out to all points North that life exists south of London.
Ian D. Hall