TRACKLIST
All In My Head
Change Your Mind
Somebody to Love
What You Want
In Your Feelings
Alena Ciera is a pop singer/songwriter and guitarist from Washington D.C. She is a highly skilled guitar player and has worked with recognizable artists like Yolanda Adams and Cee Lo Green, and has performed on big stages like the St. James theater on Broadway, The National Stadium, the Eagle Arena and many others. She posts videos of her live performances as well as some guitar covers on her YouTube Channel. She released her debut single as a solo artist in 2020, titled "Invincible" which was about reminding people that they aren't alone in this world. Since then, she has released 3 more singles and her debut EP, "All In My Head" which features the 3 singles "Change Your Mind", "What You Want" and "All In My Head" as well as two other tracks that we will be talking about, for a total of 5 songs within this brand new release! Lets get started.
All In My Head
Serving as the title track for the EP and the first song on the track list, "All In My Head" is about questioning someone why they would want to leave you. You find yourself reminiscing on the good times you had and the way that they would make you feel. So how could they just pretend like none of that was real? In this song, Alena refuses to act like this kind of bond was just all in her head. The style of this one mixes RnB, Dream Pop, a little bit of Soul and a little bit of Funk. It takes elements from both mainstream and classic styles of music, creating an experience for your ears that sounds raw and real.
Change Your Mind
Have you ever been with someone who just couldn't decide if they wanted to be with you or not? It's so frustrating when you get left so suddenly, without knowing what went wrong. It's a very similar theme to "All In My Head", but now Alena is wondering if she could change this person's mind to make them stay. "Change Your Mind" is my personal favorite track on this EP. It's giving 80s pop rock, in a style that is similar to the band HAIM. The classic beat and use of reverb transports you back in time, creating a nostalgic feeling which is another reoccurring theme within the songs on this EP.
Somebody to Love
As human beings, all we ever want is to feel loved and cared about by someone. "Somebody to Love" highlights these lonely feelings that a lot of us know all too well. It's a relatable song, especially for those who have someone in mind that they wish would love you back. It's the slowest song the EP, perfectly placed in the middle to help the collection flow smooth. This song has really stunning harmonies, and production that is reminiscent of an early 2000's mainstream pop song.
What You Want
This song is the second single off of the EP and was released late last year in 2022. It's the only song so far to have a music video, which you can watch below! Have you ever given somebody everything you had, and it still never seemed to be enough? "What You Want" is about asking a person who just takes and takes and takes but never gives back, "can you tell me what you want?". The song has a nostalgic pop groove and a production style that has you wanting to get up and dance. It's a vibe that screams Summertime, making you want to grab your favorite drink and relax by the pool.
In Your Feelings
"In Your Feelings" is about somebody who only knows how to complain and start drama. We definitely all know somebody like that, and Alena is calling them out in this song. It's a groovy track that reminds me of Bruno Mars and Justin Timberlake; keeping that mainstream pop vibe, but using undertones of RnB and Soul.
Final Thoughts
After listening to this entire EP, I think it's the perfect collection of songs for a pick-me-up after a breakup. The lyrics touch on heartbreak and disappointment, but the instrumentations are the complete opposite! These songs collectively make you want to get up and dance while screaming along with the words. The funky rhythms and beats just can't keep you down. It's definitely what I like to call feel good music. Each song has a completely different sound and style, creating a diverse work of art that anyone can listen and relate to.
Written By Kaitlyn Nicole
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