A onetime Broadway performer, Ava Della Pietra has since transitioned into the pop arena with notable success. She continues honing her academic skills, as well, by pursuing a dual degree at the Harvard University – Berklee College of Music program. There’s nothing staid or studied, however, about her art. Her engaging penchant for musical storytelling, strong lyrical content, wont for winning melodies, and theatrical inclinations help frame her vision. She’s reaping the rewards of a social media fanbase nearly one million strong and growing. Her new single “sick” is an immensely clever release well-timed for the Valentine’s Day season and should expand her fanbase exponentially.
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She launches deep into the song without any needless preamble. The verses boast a stripped-down sound that focuses the listener’s attention on Della Pietra’s voice. She’s earnest and as full of life as the percolating percussion and bass accompaniment. Della Pietra and her collaborators design the verses for instant engagement with the audience, but there’s artistry at work as well. It’s impossible to miss how it strikes a satisfying balance between her voice and the instrumentation; she’s the clear focus, but the arrangement serves her well.
The transitions between verse and chorus are seamless. “sick” shifts into a higher gear for these moments, and the sonic storm washing over listeners does an excellent job of mimicking love’s physical effects. It has an exhilarating rush, never overwhelming, yet connecting with something deep within the performer and listener. It’s natural, never forced. She raises her vocal game, as well, and hearing her throw the full weight of her voice behind the chorus lyrics is one of the high points of this song. No one hearing “sick” will disagree that she’s committed to each syllable.
The lyrics are well-tailored to the song’s needs. She runs through a good-natured catalog of love’s ailments, and the chorus’ words reiterate those motif
s without sounding like they are retreading the verses at greater velocity. This song will thrive in live performance, it’s clearly built for that, and it’s equally obvious it will play well over any club speakers. The production has a glossy sound while packing every ounce of the sonic wallop that the track’s sentiments deserve.
Della Pietra’s dedication to her art pays off handsomely. Half-measures are absent from this single, there’s no evidence of coasting, and she shares as much of her inner self as the song allows. “sick” flies by, but there’s never any feeling that she’s unnecessarily rushing the performance. Songs like this sound like they were floating in the ether, waiting for the right artist to reach up, pluck them out, and set them down.
Della Pietra is the ideal performer for the job. She inhabits each second of “sick” with genuine presence, undoubtedly a product of her extensive theatrical experience, and her strong vocals imbue the song with urgency and sensitivity in equal measure. It’s a happy, beaming track that turns notions of being sick on their head in a smart and entertaining fashion. You’ll be glad to hear it.
Garth Thomas