I’m happy to notice that Ava Della Pietra’s upward trajectory as a serious musical expertise continues unaltered together with her new single. Valentine’s Day 2024 brings us her new observe “sick”, an clever and bouncy paean to the bodily sensations of being swept up within the full throes of affection, and barely do you hear fashionable pop performers so impressed. This will likely sign a breakthrough second for Della Pietra, in my thoughts, as “sick” builds on the success of her earlier singles like “ego” and “speak it out” with such a romping flash that it surges ahead extra like a debut than a successor to these aforementioned songs. She sounds reborn.

It’s a part of the magic that love holds over her. I hear a singer intent on proving herself, as effectively, and fiercely alive with the enjoyment of creation. In a way, “sick” is about rather more than one other individual she’s enthralled with, however slightly a tune about being in love with love. One of many deepest sources for Della Pietra to specific that love is thru the medium of tune. She sings “sick” as if her life is dependent upon speaking how she feels, and regardless of the litany of bodily “complaints”, it’s clear that she feels excellent.

She measures her efficiency for max impact. Della Pietra delivers the verses with the correct amount of power, however she’s cautious to match it as shut as doable to the music’s motion slightly than leaving her accompaniment within the mud. She continues exercising the identical care when the refrain hits, and every remaining passage reveals her pacing herself accordingly towards the observe’s association. Brio isn’t in brief provide, however she all the time stops wanting wild-eyed hysteria, and the tune advantages from that warning.

The percussion and bass accompaniment are well-suited for her efficiency. I’d slightly her have “stay” devices enjoying off her voice, I believe it will catapult her to a fair greater place, and I hope the longer term holds that for her. She’s effectively at dwelling, nonetheless, with a pre-programmed digital association. The lyrics have a hard-hitting high quality within the arms of her phrasing, and it doubles the insistent percussion powering this efficiency.

The bass thud on the tune’s musical heart is its basis. It’s dazzling to listen to her play off its danceable timekeeping, and I benefit from the ease with which it connects to listeners. You need to transfer once you hear this tune, and I defy you to not. It’s arguably essentially the most boisterous entry but in her rising discography with out ever sounding prefer it’s pandering to the bottom frequent denominator. That is high-end pop music riffing on a timeless theme and guided by among the best purveyors of the model working in the present day.

I’m completely happy to listen to it. I additionally observe how Della Pietra’s confidence and skills are rising with every new launch. This can be a dedicated artist in it for the lengthy haul slightly than a taking pictures star destined to fritter away and fade away. “sick” is sick in the absolute best method and unimaginable to overlook. 

Mindy McCall