Tayiha – Hollywood Dreamer (2021)
They say that great things come in tiny packages and this is definitely true when it comes to singer-songwriter Tayiha. At only 15 years of age, this Australian songstress has a unique pop meets R&B sound. Despite her young age, her music shows a degree of sophistication gravitating towards the likes of Lana Del Rey, Taylor Swift and Whitney Houston. Laying emotional lyrics over engaging melodies, Tayiha captures the essence of being young in the 21st century with her evocative songs.
Tayiha says that she was “singing before I could speak sentences” and wrote her first song at age 8. Since then, her love for music has grown resulting in four singles, coverage on several playlists, and features on Blue Rhymez Entertainment, The Point Music News and iHeart Music (to name but a few). One of her latest releases is the pop-inspired ‘Hollywood Dreamer’.
Reminiscent of Taylor Swift in not only sound but also lyrical depth, Tayiha uses a personal narrative to connect with listeners. Touching on issues of broken relationships, isolation, anxiety and social expectation, Tayiha exposes the fragility of the human spirit. Yet, while her music has a melancholic reflection, she injects lingering empowerment and hopefulness. An amazing maturity and depth for someone so young.
Showcasing her versatility, Tayiha traverses several genres from her dance-influenced debut ‘No Happy Ending’ to the modern pop track ‘Hollywood Dreamer’. Adopting a softer, slower and smoother approach in ‘Hollywood Dreamer’, she elegantly combines harmonic melodies with wistful lyricism. Using a personal narrative, she uses music as a means of escapism dragging you along in her wistful Hollywood dreams.
What I find particularly intriguing about Tayiha is not her rich, warm vocals but the innocence underlying the poignant music. Recorded with Stuart Stuart at Analog Heart Records, the single has a kaleidoscopic soundscape creating a hazy ambience of childish dreams. While Tayiha says the track can “fit into anyone’s dream and doesn’t necessarily have to be about making it in Hollywood”, I can see people across the globe singing about “making it” in front of a mirror with a hairbrush as a microphone.
The tribute to childhood dreams, Tayiha oozes hope in this single. Definitely one to keep an eye on, I can see her playing international tours very soon.
In addition to her single, Tayiha released an official music video for ‘Hollywood Dreamer’. The video can be viewed on her YouTube channel.
For more from Tayiha check out her Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
