Whenever you turn on the radio you’ll most likely hear a synthesized track. The track was most likely auto-tuned to death by some pop star masquerading as a hip-hop artist.
Auto-tune corrects the pitch in vocal and instrumental performances. A lot of artists use it more to make them sound better at singing than they actually are. It was famously ridiculed by Jay-Z in his first single out of retirement, “D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune).”
Enter Ladyhawke, the perfect example of someone who is the exact opposite of a phony hip-hop artist.
Ladyhawke, a New Zealander, uses a synthesizer in her music, much like other musicians. However, instead of using the synth or auto-tune to make her voice sound like something worth listening to, like Taylor Swift or Li’l Wayne so readily does, she uses it to give her voice a retro edge, sounding much like The Eurythmics or Blondie.
For her debut album, she blended danceable synth with sing-along lyrics that some people will find delightfully different among the sea of computerized bimbos. She litters her songs with hidden meanings and metaphors that are sometimes difficult to interpret. The best songs off the album also happen to be the singles, “My Delirium,” “Back of the Van” and “Dusk Till Dawn.”
“My Delirium” is heavily synthesized, but a drum machine and a couple of guitars also accompany it. This musical break where Ladyhawke’s instrumentation is without her vocals, is easily the best part of the whole song.
“Back of the Van” also features the drum machine along with the synth again. This time, though, the synth isn’t in the forefront of the song.
The guitar and drum machine get most of the attention during the verses. When Ladyhawke comes to the chorus, chimes go along with her voice.
“Dusk till Dawn” is a little darker than the first two songs. Again, the synth is the leader of the song. The chorus lightens up and is very danceable.
Other songs to mention are “Another Runaway,” “Magic” and “Professional Suicide.”
On “Another Runaway” she sings, “You’re always acting like a part- time wannabe/I should’ve seen it/I didn’t get it.” Here’s one of Ladyhawke’s hidden meanings at work.
This verse could mean that her love interest only wants to be in a friend with benefits relationship with her.
“Magic” is a catchy song too. Fans of “The Vampire Diaries” will recognize it because it was used for the show’s promos. However, it’s not as special as the others.
Most of Ladyhawke’s songs are love songs, but they’re done differently than the run of the mill tracks that most people hear on the radio. They tell the story better, and they’re not all about “getting down in the clubs.”
These songs are reminiscent of Pat Benatar’s angsty view of love. Think of “Love is a Battlefield”, “Heartbreaker” and “Hit Me With Your Best Shot.” There will be absolutely no “We Belong” which is also by Benatar.
Overall, Ladyhawke is the type of musician for people who like danceable music with some meaning.
She’s reminiscent of The Eurythmics, Blondie and David Bowie. Ladyhawke found the perfect way to use the synthesizer to produce that quintessential ‘80s sound.