Madisyn Gifford Balances Heartache and Wit in the Melancholic Groove of 'Fast One'
A broken heart and a sarcastic laugh will always sound like music when juxtaposed, and “Fast One” by Madisyn Gifford is nothing if not an example of this dichotomy. The song slowly opens up like a soft summer night breeze that is calm but carries the sharpness of unaddressed feelings. Gifford's vocal manages to glide seamlessly on her ever-present Robin Hood feel of folk-pop lyricism, creating an image of a world-weary woman caught up in raw vulnerability and dressed with just enough attitude. A real lesson in emotional equilibrium, Ghosted features the gut-wrench of being ghosted alongside an even more bizarre message — how temporary affairs can pack a harsher punch than the falls of long-term bindings. The complexity of her voice — gentle but firm, heartbroken but playful — captures so many emotions on one single. Nonetheless “Fast One” is more than just a song — it's a love letter to situationship simmering intimate confirmation with the knowing wink of self-understanding. Its mellow production operates in much the same way, letting lyrics that can swing from sorrow to sly wit play as they please. As soon as the play button is hit, it's almost impossible to stop yourself getting sucked into this expertly brewed whirlwind from emotional sincerity and melodic nonchalance.
The single “Skipping Stones” by American singer-songwriter SOZI conjures a folk-infused reverie that glides between wistful reflection and buoyant optimism. The track, featured in Episode 9…