Sydney Hansen’s musical career has jetted off to a rocketing start and
shows no signs of slowing down. The Duluth, Minnesota native excels
delivering gritty Southern rock as if she hails from the region rather
than chilly North. Her 2021 debut Fallin’ established her credentials as
a major player in the genre with boundless potential and her new single
“For Better” burnishes her renown with the same high artistic standards.
She’s a lifelong born performer and music devotee who has an innate
knack for inhabiting the material she’s chosen. “For Better” showcases
her interpretive skills in a stylish yet utterly authentic way.
STREAMING:
The measured mid-tempo pace set by the band favors her vocal talents.
Swinging drums lay down a steady persistent groove while raw, kinetic
electric guitar fires scattered salvos over the course of the song.
Peppering the arrangement with stinging slide guitar is another astute
move as it serves as a de-facto second “voice” duetting well with
Hansen’s vocals. The rhythm section is, however, the song’s core
strength and provides undeniable physicality that persists for the
entire song.
Hansen’s voice is an elastic instrument, capable of coloring the cut
with a light touch, but equally skilled when it’s time to dig deeper.
It’s a voice with mass appeal. Hardened veteran Southern rock fans will
appreciate her talents as well as young modern listeners drawn to her
youthful energy and resonant experiences. They’ve been where she’s been
and will appreciate her ability to depict bittersweet heartbreak with
every bit of the reality they’ve lived through.
VIDEO:
It's a condensed, focused track as well. Hansen eschews any signs of
self-indulgence. We do get tasty snippets of lead guitar, particularly
during the song’s second half, and the sharp slide playing splashes the
song with a variety of shades, but it serves the composition rather than
sounding ornamental. She’s wise to never overstay her welcome and has a
tight grip on the vagaries of effective songcraft.
The production highlights her singing, but she never overshadows the
accompaniment. We’re treated, instead, to a balanced and fully-realized
presentation that burns with life yet never overwhelms listeners. Hansen
and her cohorts fine tune each element of the song to achieve the
desired effects. Longtime and casual music fans alike will relish the
sound, individual performances, lyrics, and Hansen’s singing without
reservation.
It's the next logical step for Hansen as she builds her reputation. “For
Better” boasts conversational lyrics that trod familiar territory for
popular music, but it shines brighter thanks to an identifiable touch
that separates her song from the pack. She isn’t obviously imitating
anyone.
Instead, Sydney Hansen is forging her own path through the jungle of
modern music with confidence, relatability, and unquestionable
authenticity. Her trajectory continues ever upward, and it behooves
anyone interested in flesh and blood music to follow her from here. It’s
got so much soul that it’s an easy task. You won’t listen to “For
Better” once and cast it aside. It’s well worth hearing it time after
time and relishing its fire and flair.
ONLINE: