Nothing is new under the sun. That’s what they say, isn’t it? Indeed, the subject matter that Fiona Amaka that lies at the heart of her second single of the year is as old as humanity. “Ghosting”, might be a trendy new name for it, but the idea of selectively ignoring certain people, suddenly cutting off contact, or gatekeeping access to something or someone or somewhere, is nothing new. (Gatekeeping…that’s another new name for certain timeless and tiresome practices.)
What is new, however, is the way Fiona Amaka blends folk-pop sensibilities with rock energy, sweet vocals with raw guitars, and delicate orchestral sweeps with confident grooves. It is a wealth of sonic opposites, and we all know how opposites attract.
It’s a song that grew and came to fruition through open mic performances, resonating so strongly with audiences that it has become an essential and popular part of her full band set. And why would it not? “Cowards and Shadows” might document a negative aspect of life, made more prevalent by modern communication methods and media platforms that are anything but social, but it is a relatable one.
A great song, one that blends accessibility with authenticity, infectiousness with insight, and the music world certainly needs a lot more of that.
