The video for this latest release from Diamoness sits somewhere between a traditional music video and a short narrative film. It says something about how the media world is changing, that formats are merging and music videos no longer have to be the short, sharp advert for an artist’s latest album and can be a piece of art in its own right. And that is exactly what we have here, a film driven my music, a song visually expanded to tell a bigger story, a story that exists in both audio and visual worlds, and that exists where they dovetail to show a bigger picture.
It also tells a very personal story, one of living through the dark points of a relationship but of trying to take the higher path and choosing to forgive rather than to succumb to the darkness. It even touches on thoughts of suicide but using faith as a support to come through the testing times. Faith may be at the heart of this very personal story, but it echoes with thoughts that are relatable and identifiable to everyone.
Musically it is a deft and deliciously crafted song, one that blends gentle R&B lines with an accessible pop sound and even adds some drama and tension by heading down the rock guitar route. Gospel harmonies and a restrained dance groove sensibility also colour the song and like many songs created in the post-genre world Released is a song that is less concerned with specific generic traits but instead wanders through which ever style and sound is required to get the job done. And get the job done it certainly does.
It’s a song that succeeds on so many levels. Those who just want an interesting and well-crafted song will love its shifting nature and stylistic swerves and blends. Those who wish to delve deeper into the lyrics will find a very astute and powerful message. If faith is important to you this is a poignant musical document about overcoming difficult times and forgiving, and those interested in the counter-point of song and story-telling will find the concept fascinating, the fact that it wanders from film to song, from personal tale to visual delight, changing its form and style to underline the essence of the story as required.
Not all music has to be about the quick hit, the easy route, following the rules, and what Diamoness has done here is blur the lines, not only between genres but between media forms and done so over an extended period of time. The brilliance of the track and the visual narrative is that even through the song is extended and cut through with incidental scenes, she never once loses the listener. Maybe this is the beginning of a new way of operating, one that not only sees the end of specific musical genres but one that sees multi-media mash-ups becoming the norm. Exciting times indeed.
