Cristal B. – Bittersweet (2022)
Through her single ‘My Therapist’, Cristal B. helped us confront the darkness and angst that causes a negative self-image. She is now moving away from these negative factors and taking an honest look at heartbreak with her latest single ‘Bittersweet’. Through the stripped-back single, she considers heartbreak and feeling that the person who broke your heart still has a piece of you. This pain and sense of loss are lightened by the need to find the strength to move on.
Refreshing in its stripped-back sound, the beautiful piano-driven melody is powerful in its complete lack of heavy production. An anthem for anyone going through the pain of a breakup, the single soothes the raw edges and vulnerability hurt and sadness can leave in their wake. Drawing on her own experience with heartbreak, Cristal B. has you grabbing for the tissues while singing along with her.
The delicate piano line that drives the melody of ‘Bittersweet’ draws you into the melancholic contemplation of the single. The simplistic flow of the music creates a powerful depth to the melody for all its lack of extensive production. The use of only a piano for the melody lets the vocals really shine while dancing the emotions of the single into your soul. There is a soothing edge to the melody as you float on the piano notes, but this is contrasted by something really sad. The depths of the sadness is hinted at in the melody only to be picked up by the vocals that really drive the pain and heartbreak into your soul.
While the melody is beautiful on its own, it is Cristal B’s vocals that really make the single. Her performance is a rich yet heart-wrenching flow that slinks into your chest, twines threads of pain around your heart and squeezes. Through the verses, she has you wallowing in pain and heartbreak as these raw emotions coat her performance. The chorus offers you a boost as she resolves to let go and move on. While this is an empowering moment, there is a heavy touch of sadness within it. Her vocals combine sublimely with the piano-driven melody to choke you up with emotion. If you are heartbroken, you will be crying and passionately singing along to this track.
Cristal B. reaches into your chest with beautiful piano notes and vulnerable lyrics only to squeeze your heart with the pain of ‘Bittersweet’. The stripped-back melody is powerful as it dances the acoustic tones through the soundscape. Her vocals are emotive and raw as she unleashes her heartache and works toward the painful process of moving on.
Find out more about Cristal B. on her Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
