SINGLE REVIEW: PIEN - TOTALLY HONEST

The second single to cross the #TEAMw21 desk from UK/Dutch based Pien is entitled "Totally Honest", and once more, she creates a sound that immediately grabs the attention and makes you want to hear more. The opening to this one is two stringed instruments, one a guitar, the other a mandolin maybe, it makes for a hypnotic sound over which Pien lays an equally intriguing dreamy vocal

"I haven't seen you for a while

I haven't touched you for a month or two

And I really don't know why

I guess you also have no clue"

The words "while" and "why" are extended out adding to the overall atmosphere.

There's a sudden change of sound as a drum machine kicks in, however it is not the harsh sound that you might imagine, it is indeed very complimentary, giving the appearance of pace, yet Pien's vocals, slightly echoed, stay at the same speed.

"So much changes over time

Lately I've been feeling blue

I've been thinking for a while

We should catch up soon"

The verses seem almost conciliatory looking to rekindle something however the chorus lets us further into Pien's state of mind. Musically it turns into a fine piece of pure pop music, the drums now sounding real and becoming more prominent, while the lyrics have all filters removed!

"Just to be totally honest, to be harshly blunt

I couldn't find the energy to make this work

To be totally honest, to be harshly blunt

I couldn't face "I told you so"

And that stupid smirk"

The third verse possibly gives some idea behind this outburst on the chorus, the sense of pressure building up with the words "Ticking", "Eating up" and "Nervous" must eventually find a release.

"There's this ticking in my head

It's been eating me for hours every day

It makes me nervous, makes me mad

So I just let it do it's thing"

The third take on the chorus sees most of the backing track fade, leaving Pien by far the most dominant sound even though her voice is barely a whisper - the lyrics also are slightly altered

"To be totally honest, to be harshly blunt

All I want to do right now is cry till it doesn't hurt

My fingers are shaking, my lips can't shape the word

Wish I could burn these feelings with the rest of the dirt"

The final section sees Pien really find her voice, and her background vocals are set loose to roam free in some style. With just two inventive singles, Pien has well and truly hooked us, her sound as refreshing her lyrical content, marking her out as someone that we want to hear much more of.

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