Birdy is an incredibly talented and internationally recognized 20-year-old British artist that has won the Female Solo Artist International Award and the Best International New Artist in 2014. She has published her third album called “Beautiful lies” in March this year. This album is a breathtaking piece of alternative pop with some indie anthem-like elements and outstanding vocals that non-disputably offers a unique experience. Birdy’s voice has a soft and suiting quality making up for a haunting vocal performance, beautiful, deep and mysterious. She makes use of these characteristics to build up the momentum and then showcases her powerful voice. The mood corresponds with the central theme which is staying strong through heartbreak, showing both vulnerability and strength. This album is distinguishable among her work by its maturity, diversity of form and vocal experimentation.
Birdy states that she got the motivation for this album after watching the movie “Memoirs of a Geisha.” The most distinguishable Eastern influence in her singing can be heard in “Growing pain,” “Shadow” and “Hear you calling,” especially in the opening and in the verses. It is also quite distinguishable in the “Unbroken”’chorus, “Silhouette”’s bridges and “Save yourself” backing vocals. The piano is again the predominant instrument in these ballads ( little less so in “Growing pain”) that makes us reminisce her previous more mainstream hits, such as “Wings”, “People help the people” and “1901”, while “Hear you calling” additionally features some Japanese-inspired melodies. Another testament to the inspiration behind this album is the fact that in the Japanese release of the album, she included a bonus track, called “Lights.”
“Beautiful Lies,” “Lost it all” and “Deep end” are more authentic regarding Birdy’s trademark style, piano-driven with elements of nostalgia, melancholia, and softness. Given that she is known for her abundance of amazing acoustic covers, the presence of these songs in her album has been expected.
My personal favorites are “Wild Horses”, “Keeping your head up” and “Words”. The main characteristic of these songs, especially of the first two is that they are very powerful and upbeat, with Birdy’s singing about staying strong which is reflected in her voice. These songs are the perfect resolution to the underlying storyline of heartbreak and dealing with it, ending it on an impressive note.
In my opinion, Birdy’s transformation into a mature and confident artist through this album is grand and admirable. Not only she proves herself as a serious musician, but she also shows off her musical proficiency and talent by producing “Keeping your head up”, “Lost it all”, “Take my heart” and “Beautiful Lies”.
