Diana DeMuth – Misadventure
Diana Demuth bares all in Misadventure, an emotive collation of infectious country and soulful ballads, steeped in self-realisation. Exquisite vocals prove maturity beyond her years as layers are shed with ruthless honesty.
Hotel Song sets a strong precedent of versatility to come. The opening is wistful and full of longing, until buoyant instrumentals lift the song to a more hopeful note: intriguing from the get-go.
Into My Arms recalls driving with the roof down in the height of summer, but the catchy rhythm soon becomes repetitive, and the track risks blending into the background. Despite its feel-good energy, it only skims the surface of the singer’s depths. The Young and Blind brings similarly high spirits with a braver approach. Dynamic phrasing and fun percussion make for a delightful boost after the slightly sleepy Rose of Nantucket, where the struggles and triumphs of youth are celebrated in true country style.
Deserving of its label as the pillar track, Steady Rolling is a powerful reminder of DeMuth’s vocal strength. Sparsely accompanied, grounded and poignant, it sits beautifully with the themes of Misadventure.
Signs is a hazy and troubled cry of vulnerability, affecting in its potent honesty and, like the other tracks, melancholic in its circle back to the love interest.
Beautifully crafted album highlight Photographs is one for the heart strings, with a fluid use of tenses revealing the complexity of a relationship no longer what it was. “How could we ever capture that?” betrays the pain in her nostalgia, with raised choruses achieving further intensity. All the Liars maintains this intensity, a chilling ultimatum as she pleads for love in a world riddled with corruption.
Ivory White is a touch of heaven. Intimate and simplistic, it imparts fragments of reflection on the hidden side of a lover and the vulnerable place they have found themselves in. Piano runs like a gentle stream between lyrics that live up to the album’s profound maturity.
DeMuth eloquently gathers the threads of loving, learning and ultimately leaving in Already Gone, an understated but moving finale. It seems symbolic of a turning page, with references to coming down and moving on, and abstract lyricism straight from the heart.
Misadventure reinstates DeMuth as an alluring contender in the world of indie/folk. She continues to display confident versatility in her angelic voice with an album that is a liberating, wholehearted listen at a pace that instantly sweeps up the listener. Though not all the tracks are striking, DeMuth is a captivating artist, teeming with a soul restless to be heard and remembered.
Georgia Howlett
Photo: Ashley Osborn
Misadventure is released on 28th September 2020. For further information or to order the album visit Diana DeMuth’s website here.
Watch the video for the single All the Liars here:
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