Monique Grimme Drops A Massive Single
A new single from Monique Grimme and Sapphire Star Studios just dropped, and the track brings together elements of an almost vintage anthemic tonality with a heavy rock approach, and the whole thing comes through as the actual and heavily cinematic, but with lots of heart as well.
"Phoenix Strong" is quite a powerful track, and the whole first half of the song is based on this beautifully performed set of synths that really bring that classic element to light, along with powerful and passionate vocals, all coming together to create an atmosphere that's all its own.
Throughout this, you have additional synths that add an almost psychedelic layer to the track, and it all gives me bouts of nostalgia because I love this kind of stuff and grew up on it.
There's something about this track that makes you think of a song you'd hear on the final credits of a film from the '80s.
The aesthetic of '80s pop and power rock is all over this thing, and it's amazing how this was captured so well.
It sounds authentically like it's from that time, and to be able to create that soundscape and aesthetic, so that it's nailed, it's absolutely incredible because you have to pay attention to the kinds of synth and key tones that you were using along with how the vocals are performed as well.
Vocally, this track is an absolute powerhouse, and you can hear the heart behind the performance the entire way through.
There's something absolutely addicting about this, and for that first half of the track, you're getting pulled in and engulfed by the emotional backbone of everything.
Now, during this part, you also have clean guitars that have a little wetness to them. A little reverb or chorus effect gives it that vast undertone, and believe me, this track does have an expansive underbelly to it.
This is all part of why it feels so impactful, but also cinematic at the same time.
To me, this feels like it's about love, heartbreak, and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
The way the lyrics are portrayed is beautiful and speaks volumes for Monique as a lyricist, especially.
A lot of what you hear lyrically is inner struggle and coping with the power of love, heartbreak, and everything that comes with it.
We've all felt these kinds of struggles before, but to be able to articulate them into words is not something we all know how to do.
Not only is this articulated beautifully lyrically, but to put it together into words, music is a whole different thing.
We automatically connect with the sentiment of this track, and those lyrics can be descriptive and very detailed enough so that you can paint certain pictures in your head vividly as the song unfolds.
The music gives you the mood behind those lyrics and sets the tone for what you're absorbing.
Then, the guitars come in, and it starts this heavy rock vibe that is reminiscent of arena rock, but again, theatrical and emotionally bound.
That emotion is part of what gives the song its power.
The second part of the track, once the guitars kick in and it starts rocking, is spirited, which is the triumphant part of the whole thing.
You still get some amazing keys throughout this section, and it really hits that climactic point, so the whole song is this amazing build-up to that moment.
I found it astounding that the song was arranged this well. That whole first part of the song is such an outstanding build-up to that climax when everything starts rocking out and the emotional intensity hits its high point there as well, right alongside the music.
So, it all has this impactful and character-riddled approach to it where the personality behind the track is really showing face, and it's also a song that shines with presence.
This was a lush, personal, spirited, charismatic, and bountiful single that has these phases to go through, but takes you on an outstanding musical Journey that you won't forget.
You can feel that spirit and intensity in your bones.
Released with Sapphire Star Studios via Bongo Boy Records, this was a beautifully woven single. Listen to "Phoenix Strong" when you get a chance to see how it affects you.
