Laura Pieri, a rising pop singer from Brazil, released her debut EP Frankie on May 31st, and the work proves that conceptual projects will never go out of style. Frankie consists of four songs that centre themes of self-love, resistance and liberation, with lyrical imagery of fairy tales, myths and fantasy aiding the storytelling.
It should be noted that the young musician left her home and moved to New York when she was only sixteen years old in order to pursue a career in music – an incredibly brave decision that certainly didn’t come without struggles and therefore gives this project and all the different emotions it explores genuine authenticity.
The EP starts off strong with the song ‘Sea Of Tragedy’ which boasts a powerful beat and a daring production. The opening track is edgy and exciting and sets the mood for the rest of the EP. Right with its first line – ‘Locked in a tower’ –, the song introduces the listeners to the fairytale theme that is so prominent in Laura’s work. Witches and sirens are mentioned as well, further expanding the concept of supernaturalism. While it has a rather upbeat tune, the title and the lyrics make it clear that this is not a happy song: It’s about being trapped in a difficult situation and struggling to find a way out.
‘Daughter Of Demeter’, which was already released as a single beforehand, is even darker, with Laura’s velvet smooth voice seducing the listeners. The song delves into Greek mythology: The daughter of Demeter is Persephone who was taken to the underworld by Hades. Demeter, who is the goddess of harvest, refused to let anything grow until she got her daughter back, causing people to starve. Throughout the song, Laura explores this theme of destruction and makes several references to Demeter and Persephone’s story. The highlight of this track is without a doubt the catchy chorus that encapsulates the song’s message perfectly.
In the third track called ‘Come Clean’, Laura references literature as she sings about the scarlet letter. By comparing it to a tattoo, she smartly ties pieces of historical fiction to the present. According to Laura herself, this song is all about ‘understanding that sometimes, a little chaos and destruction are necessary’. This sense of resignation is both apparent in the lyrics and audible in her voice.
‘GODDESS ENERGY’, the closing of the project and the first song of the EP that Laura released, follows the theme of empowerment even more than the other tracks. The title is self-explanatory: The song is all about confidence, loving yourself and embracing the Goddess energy. Again, it is the chorus that proves to be the highlight of the song. Just like the rest of the song – and the EP –, it’s daring, loud and unapologetic.
It’s obvious that Laura had a lot of fun creating this EP which makes it an equally fun listening experience. While the exciting production is definitely worth mentioning, the project’s greatest strength is its coherence. It follows a clear theme both lyrically and sonically but still gives each song the space to stand on its own. Laura’s compelling songwriting certainly raises hopes for a more extensive project in the future which further delves into this world that she has created with her music. Frankie is a strong debut and proves that Laura Pieri is one to watch.
Written by: Melanie Falkensteiner
Edited by: Marieke Weeda
