Thursday, September 26, 2019

“Low Down” by SHAYNA ZAID – A Song Feature


     The timbre and range of her voice are striking! That’s the takeaway conclusion following an introduction to “Low Down,” a single from SHAYNA ZAID. Her voice is equally pure and comfortable across an impressive range, even within a single lyrical line. Then, additional plays of the song carry an increasing appreciation of the other elements of “Low Down,” particularly the instrumental accompaniment.

       “Cinematic” is the common theme in content about the music of SHAYNA ZAID. If that term is defined by a sliding scale of (1) depth of individual contributions, such as harmonization of the vocals, (2) texture created by the contrasts among the various contributions, and (3) ability to evoke emotion, we agree. “Low Down” is not texture-heavy, but it is strong on drawing out the target emotion. The song is “a ballad about loss and betrayal; colored with haunting/ethereal vocals against an orchestral backdrop.”

     The piano isn’t complex, but is effective in enhancing the emotion within the vocals. The chords are sustained. The sustain pedal on the piano is depressed, prolonging each sound and allowing the strings to vibrate sympathetically with each other. Similarly, the percussion is intelligent, which is not a description we often associate with percussion.

     Shayna Zaid is based in Los Angeles, although she elsewhere. She is from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and has spent time on the East Coast – attending Berklee College of Music in Boston and residing in New York City. She is currently working on new content and releases with her team, under the moniker STEREΩMAZE. Her songs have been placed in campaigns for brands such as Ford, Dulux, Hershey's, Kohls, ADT, ING, Bealls, Zales, Cotton, 23andMe and Lord & Taylor. Shayna's music has also been featured on numerous TV shows, films, and movie trailers, including The Invisible Sign (feat. Jessica Alba).

     “Low Down” by SHAYNA ZAID 


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