Sienna Spiro basks in the shadow of Amy Winehouse on her newest single

by

As a gamer who’s spent countless hours navigating the labyrinthine world of music, I can confidently say that every new artist seems to be a fresh take on an old favorite – a remix, if you will. The quest for the next big thing is relentless, and it’s always fascinating to see who steps up to the plate and swings for the fences.

The world of pop music is always in search of the next new thing. But it’s surprising how often that next new thing sounds an awful lot like a popular old thing. The Bay City Rollers were going to be the new Beatles even though Squeeze’s Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford were the new Lennon and McCartney. Across the pond, at least a dozen scruffy-looking singer-songwriters were lining up to be the new Bob Dylan.

It’s perfectly fine to be inspired by accomplished artists, as many aspiring stars often look up to someone and strive to emulate their success. However, most of them, even those who are fairly talented, rarely exceed being mere echoes of the originals. Developing your unique style or voice is a challenging task for anyone.

In the cutthroat world of video gaming, it sometimes feels unachievable to stand out among the masses. Yet, here we are with gamers like Olivia Rodrigo and Jelly Roll – individuals who’ve managed to infuse their distinct styles into well-established genres. At first glance, they might have seemed like carbon copies of others, but over time, they forged their unique paths, ultimately becoming who they truly are.

Sienna Spiro channels Amy Winehouse on her latest song

We’re about to see if Sienna Spiro can climb that mountain.

13 years after Amy Winehouse’s death, the world continues to search for another artist with her unique talent and style, who tragically joined the ranks of legendary musicians that died at 27. Notable contenders in this search are Jorja Smith and RAYE, both currently 27 and thriving in their careers. RAYE is even nominated for Best New Artist at this year’s Grammys. However, as we eagerly await the emergence of the next big thing, it seems that we are still searching for a new version of an old favorite sound.

Sienna Spiro acknowledges legendary artists as her inspirations, specifically Frank Sinatra and Etta James. Yet, her recently released single appears to hold the most obvious tribute to Amy Winehouse, with the track titled “Back to Blonde.” Despite various changes from Winehouse’s “Back to Black,” the song’s likeness is hard to ignore, leaving one to ponder just how deliberate those similarities might be.

The new track by Spiro shares a theme with her previous breakup songs, hinting at self-destructive tendencies post a failed relationship. Musically, it builds upon the piano-driven style of her earlier hits like “Maybe” and “Need Me”. However, unlike those tracks where strings gradually entered the mix, “Back to Blonde” introduces strings prominently from the start, amplifying the dramatic tone immediately.

Thankfully, Spiro possesses the right vocal talent to carry it off, and her song is robust enough to withstand its intense emotionality. However, Spiro’s voice isn’t yet comparable to Winehouse or Adele, another artist she bears a resemblance to. But at 19 years old, there’s plenty of room for growth. I’m concerned that imitating Winehouse too closely might be risky, as Winehouse had an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind voice.

Coincidentally, another emerging British singer named Olivia Dean released her new single titled “Touching Toes” on the very same day as Adele’s comeback single, “Back to Blonde.” Max Wolfgang, who has played a significant role in kick-starting Spiro’s career, was the producer for Dean’s song. However, unlike being often categorized with the group dubbed as “the next Amy,” Olivia Dean is distinct. Her music is more rooted in traditional pop with a hint of soul, contrasting with the jazz/blues vibe that an artist like Spiro exudes.

In simpler terms, Dean’s latest tune is pleasant, yet Spiro’s carries more complexity. However, some of that complexity may stem from her association with a musical icon, causing Spiro to grapple with living up to expectations and forging her own unique identity. If she keeps being compared to Amy Winehouse, “Back to Blonde” might inadvertently become a limiting factor for Spiro, preventing her from truly establishing herself as Sienna Spiro instead of the ‘next’ Amy Winehouse.

Read More

2024-11-15 17:00