An independent
singer-songwriter’s journey is often a voyage across choppy waters, mixing
moments of creative inspiration with mundane funding pressures and forever keeping
an eye open for new opportunities. There is no doubt the journey of Danni
Nicholls’ new album THE MELTED MORNING has followed a similar path from idea
storming to the brink of release. The pinnacle moment of this bold venture is in
touching distance as the finished piece banishes all barriers and eleven songs
become freely available for all to listen. The result will not disappoint existing
fans and firmly places one of the UK’s leading proprietors of heartfelt singer–songwriting
fare at the point of maybe a significant potential breakthrough.
This last point is really for tomorrow, as today needs reserving
to revel in a seriously classy set of songs that open an exciting new chapter
for Danni Nicholls. Those au fait with her previous work will instantly feel a
change, albeit one that complements a past where the sound was a little less
intense than a fuller bodied one seemingly engineered by a link up with American
producer Jordan Brooke Hamlin (Indigo Girls, Lucy Wainwright-Roche).
The feel of breezy past numbers like: ‘Hey There, Sunshine’, 'Travellin' Man' and ‘A
Little Redemption’ remain in the locker as the serious introspective ballad
takes over. These range from the sleek and slender ‘Wish I Were Alone’ to the powerful Ben Glover co-write ‘Frozen’, and probably peaking with the
soulful gospel vibes powering the uplifting ‘Hear Your Voice’. The mention of the co-writer in the middle of
this trio of tracks is a key feature of the album as Danni has sought seven excellent peers to lend a hand in this piece of the process.
Robby Hecht and Kyshona Armstrong were the collaborators on
the first and third of this trio, with Glover featuring on two further songs, and
the talents of Jess Morgan, Jaimee Harris, Amelia White and Jon McElroy utilised
elsewhere. Many of these are long-term favourites in their own right here, and
could only enhance any project to which they contribute.
While Danni is keen to co-operate on the writing front, she
absolutely owns the vocal zone with her own rich distinctive voice bestowing
each song without the need for widespread harmony enhancement.
To signify a multi-dimensional approach, three solo writes
make the cut, each having a presence on different fronts. ‘Ancient Embers’ surfaced in the embryonic days of this project,
introduced as a brand new track during a Birmingham gig in 2017. The version
that night given the thumbs up; a view maintained upon now reaching recorded status.
‘Lemonade’ revolves as one of the
more interesting tracks on the album, while ‘Hopeless Romantic’ finds its ideal slot as the curtain closer. The
latter is a belter of a minimalist country-style ballad, giving a reminder that
Danni is at least inspired by country music, if not necessarily guided by it.
Indeed the whole feel of THE MELTED MORNING is one of contemporary singer-songwriter
rather than a previously attached label of Americana.
This record is not necessarily bound by a monster track
miles ahead of the rest in terms of presence. ‘Power to Leave’ with a lovely rolling feeling to the chorus stakes
a claim to be in the upper quartile for those of a certain frame of mind. ‘Wild as the Water’ is the brash opener
signalling a move into new waters, while ‘Texas’ is a moving track that pricks
your ear into serious lyric listening mode.
The fact that a pair of strong numbers in ‘Losing It’ and ‘Unwanted’ have to fight it out to get a final mention explicitly defines
the overall strength of the record. They both seamlessly fit into an entity
that is beautifully balanced and arranged by the most acute of ears.
Danni Nicholls has recorded many fine songs in her string of
previous releases to stand the test of time. THE MELTED MORNING, whilst being
a giant leap forward, does not overshadow them, rather demonstrating the adaptability
and evolution of a recording artist. This stunning collection of tunes will
resonate deep into a community of likeminded listeners and likely court favour
with those active in the award nomination game. More importantly, it branches
out and opens up a new world that will no doubt create exciting opportunities. These
will be richly deserved.
www.danninicholls.com
