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Review: Let Go by Gaviana

Despite some people's assertion that everything in music has been done already and nothing is original, there are certain artists who manage to refresh familiar styles in a way that adds something new and special to it. The sound of 90s R'n'B was the dominant form of pop music during my youth, a time when TLC, Destiny's Child, All Saints and Aaliyah were some of the biggest voices on radio and MTV. That sound has been a strong influence on a number of artists in the last ten years, ranging from Ariana Grande to The XX, but rarely has it been such a pure inspiration as it is to Gaviana. On her latest single Let Go, the singer/songwriter from Long Island, NY appears like the great lost artist of 90s R'n'B; but rather than feeling like a vintage relic, Gaviana balances the classic and the modern together in harmony, producing a track that is catchy, fun and hugely entertaining but also has a sense of drama and empowerment.

With a string of successful singles under her belt already, and a steadily increasing fanbase in New York and beyond, Gaviana is building a strong reputation as an independent artist. Let Go follows on from recent singles like the soulful ballad Free and the dramatic R'n'B banger Taken From Me. Let Go features another tremendous vocal performance from Gaviana, who moves expertly from strong and soulful to fragile and delicate. The instrumentation combines strident beats, subtle synths and staccato strings into a production that's reminiscent of many classic R'n'B tunes. There are elements which feel wonderfully modern though too, particularly the use of multiple layered harmonies which give the catchy vocal hooks even more depth to them.

The track takes a serious tone about the difficulties of getting over a broken relationship with someone who treated you badly, but there is an energy that brings out a real feeling of self-empowerment. The lyrics are particularly engaging, with each verse discussing the tribulations of every stage in emotional recovery. In the final third Gaviana delivers some motivating refrains, telling herself 'I can do better' and 'much more of the world for me to see' in a way that feels like someone truly pushing themselves forward.

Let Go is a fantastic track, and one that really brings me back to the 90s heyday of R'n'B. However, what makes it stand out more than others is the way the lyrics and the music are crafted together to truly tell a story, something that often gets lost in modern music. Rather than singing about overwrought ideas and cliches, Gaviana has written a well thought out and tremendously crafted set of personal lyrics that fit with the dynamics of the track superbly. Let Go might be Gaviana's best single yet, and as she gets better with each release she is certainly on the right path to continued musical success.


Listen to Let Go by Gaviana on all platforms here

Find out more about Gaiana at her official website here

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