SINGLE REVIEW: PIEN- HERE'S TO

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you were to put the UK's hottest Country artist Kezia Gill in the same room as Netherlands undoubted Queen of the genre? Well wonder no more, for the result is pretty amazing and has resulted in Pien's new single "Here's To". West London based Pien has been on a hot streak of excellent singles dating back to last year and this is the best yet! The UK loves an underdog coming good story and by the time you've heard Pien's journey, you're likely to fall for her in the same way that we adopted Ashley McBryde after hearing her tales of playing at county fairs.

There is no inking as to what is to come from the opening 5 second guitar intro however you soon start to get a taste of quite what Pien's journey has involved.

"Here's to all my teachers who made me feel stupid

I didn't care for maths and only wanted my guitar

Here's to all my playground friends, who never quite like me fit in

Being different shouldn't, ever break your heart!"

The musical backing is sparse, an acoustic guitar, the occasional drum softly struck and maybe some organ and piano that will become more prominent as the song develops. It's a brutal opening verse, enough to crush a weaker spirit or maybe make a strong one more determined.

"And every little knock back, every shred of doubt

I wish that they could see how that turned out"

The chorus could easily take vengeance instead it is celebratory, finding joy in Pien's achievements so far and undoubtedly those yet to come. There's a gaelic feel with the fiddle sound and an utter confidence in the manner that Pien lets her vocals ride the melody.

"Here's to all the haters you made me want to prove you wrong

Thanks to you, I learned to do, what it takes to make me strong

All those little things made me the woman I am today

Here's to you, I raise my glass, and I'll be on my way"

There's a certain defiance in the closing line, you've had your say but I don't accept that I am defined by your criticism and I am moving on. It is also deliberately delivered, slowed down, split into three parts, "Here's to you", "I raise my glass", "and I'll be on my way", with the additional time taken really highlighting each part.

The second verse lifts the lid further on the less glamorous types of folk that you come across on your journey.

"Here's to all the men who made me feel like I was crazy

The losers who just use me, broke down and broke my heart

Here's to all the bitches, bedroom tears and wardrobe witches

Turns out you were two faced, right from the start"

The second chorus is even more joyous, if that could be possible, with a choir of backing singers, not your super smooth, pitch perfect, Nashville backing singers, more like a group of like minded friends or equally written off folk, providing exactly the support that has been lacking throughout the lyrics so far.

The bridge reinforces, that this song does not come from a sense of bitterness but the acceptance that it is those negative experiences that have made Pien the performer she is today.

"And even though ,  I’m looking at you now with a brave face

It took me so many years to feel my soul again

Deep down I know, that I'm so much stronger for that pain

But my glass is always half full, so let's raise a toast again"

A final double chorus sees the crowds backing vocals become ever more triumphant, while a little country guitar nicely finishes things off. It is supremely uplifting, leaving you in no doubt that Pien is ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Pien - #TEAMw21 salutes you - "Here's to you!"

Here's the pre-save link: https://ffm.to/mkjeyoI