- Bryon Harris
“Born Again” - Alyssa Messina
Review by Aaron Cloutier
Arpeggiated guitar chords bathed in a mix of chorus and reverb blend with the haunting wordless vocals of singer Alyssa Messina during the first few moments of “Born Again.” This enchanting pop ballad conveys the excitement and fear that goes along with discovering true love. Listeners will sense a slight feeling of intoxication with the vibe of this song as if you’re about half finished with your second glass of wine.
The track sways, giving it an alluring gentleness. The guitars are met with electronic beats and pulsing baselines driving the 6/8 meter. Emotive strings swell and drone in the background adding to the lush timbre of the arrangement.
It is Messina’s vulnerability in her performance however, that truly solidifies the song. Her tone is both velvety and sultry. Messina showcases a full spectrum of warmth, range, and expression. I particularly love her phrasing in the chorus lyric when Alyssa shifts into her higher register as she sings,
“You make me feel so alive, the touch of your hands holding me tight”
She keeps your ears locked in. The sheer openness of her delivery makes this such a strong hook.
Musically, “Born Again” is interesting as well. While the majority of the song lives in B major save for the last chord in the progression, (which is a G major) it appears to be using a parallel key as the G major chord is presented as the 6th chord in B MINOR. This is music arranging at its best and shows that Messina is a truly sophisticated writer. The inclusion of the G major chord to a progression of B major, Ab minor, and Db minor gives a slightly exotic feel to the bed of music. This chord progression remains constant throughout allowing Alyssa to take some highly memorable liberties with the note choices in the melodies she constructs.
The final result makes for some fantastic variety and originality in the pop genre.
In short, if you are looking to unwind, I suggest popping a bottle and giving this song a spin. Alyssa Messina’s “Born Again” brings pop music to life. You’ll be glad you did.
Stream on Spotify
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About Alyssa Messina
Alyssa Messina is a Canadian singer/songwriter from Toronto, Ontario with a passion for understanding the importance of lyrics, melody, and the emotional connection that music brings to her. Specializing in writing, singing, and producing Electro-Pop/Chill-Pop music, it is with her beautiful, raw and angelic voice that she connects with her audiences by being able to bring the lyrics to life in any song she performs. Alyssa Messina was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. Growing up, she had been exposed to music at a very young age which only continued to instill her love and passion for it. Singers such as Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, Elton John, John Mayer, and Adele, have inspired her to continue to pursue her love for music. Alyssa Messina began singing at the age of 5 and by the age of 16, she began to write music on her own. Among her many musical endeavors, she also took part in competitions that helped build her craft such as “Canadian Idol” back in 2006. Since 2009, she began managing her Youtube channel, specializing in theatrical performances and covers.
Alyssa Messina’s hard work and dedication to music have led her to record her own music. Her single “Thinking of You” (released June 2020 on Youtube) had performed extremely well with currently 100,000 plus views to date! It wasn’t until then when she officially became a certified artist on all streaming platforms.
Alyssa Messina’s fans from across the globe had become intrigued by her music and songwriting, which led to her connect, and work with international artists. Alyssa Messina’s recent feature, “Good Things Could Fall Apart” with Italian singer/songwriter Jamecellow (released September 2020) excited her fans and left new listeners interested in her music. Shortly after that, Alyssa Messina released her second single “Contagious” (released September 2020) as well as her third single “Heartbeat” (released November 2020) Her passion for writing music that can emotionally connect with her listeners is evident. Currently, her recent cover release, “California” (released February 2021 on her Youtube channel) and other features such as, “Suddenly Us” (released December 2019) and “All For the Fight” (released August 2020) with metal rock band Kalyptra showcase a different side to her voice, bringing light her unique versatility as a singer. With her originality and creativity, international audiences have become attracted to her unique voice. Alyssa Messina’s new single, “Born Again” has recently been released on all streaming platforms, and is excited to announce that her EP “Born Again” will be released on Friday, April 16th. As Alyssa Messina continues to pursue her career in music, she is an emerging artist that you’d want to keep a close eye on.