Alina’s new EP, “Cordially Invited”, brings together 5 songs that have been waiting for the right time to find their way into the world. There is a good mix here, from bigger guitar led moments to softer piano parts, and Alina moves naturally between them. Her voice is a piece of art and she doesn’t need to sing the same way on every track to keep our attention.
The title track is a strong opener. The writing is sharp, the chorus sticks around, and she has real presence in the way she delivers it. We really enjoyed the melodies and guitar work which give the song so much to hold on to without taking attention away from the writing. There is bite in its message. It is about reaching the point where someone else’s behaviour is no longer worth making excuses for, and turning that frustration into something you can sing along to.
“(I’m) Good Enough for Me” keeps the confidence going. Alina sounds confident here and the lyrics are personal without making the song hard to connect with. The instrumentation is rich, the production has a strong finish and everything sits together nicely. Her performance is impressive, to be honest. She doesn’t sound like she is trying to prove anything, she just gets the words across with so much character.
“Bad Decisions” has a smoother side. The title gives a clue about the subject, and the lyrics are real and honest. Alina’s delivery is relaxed, the melodies are warm and I liked how she controls her voice through the song. There is enough in the vocal and writing to keep things interesting.
Then “I Think…” changes the pace. A soft piano opens the track, leaving room for Alina’s charming voice to carry it. The song connects with the uncertainty that can come when a relationship changes, especially when distance enters the picture. Knowing it began as a one-take demo recorded in a cabin in Wales adds something unique, but the song really stands out. The performance is gentle and direct and the melody is captivating and may get stuck in your head after your first listen.
“Horribly Right” closes the EP on a high note. It brings back some bigger energy while keeping the writing personal. Alina gives another strong performance and the chorus and melodies make it a satisfying final track. It leaves the EP with a nice balance, louder moments, softer moments, and enough change that the five songs don’t blur into one sound.
These songs were written over a number of years and come from different points in Alina’s life. Still, the EP holds together because her voice and songwriting give it a clear centre. The production adds colour, especially around the guitars, but never pushes her out of the picture. We enjoyed the melodies and lyrics as much as the bigger choruses, and there is a lot here that makes us want to hear what Alina writes next.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Alina weaves a tapestry of indie pop with lyrical soulful introspection. Singing since she could talk, Alina has been performing from an early age, growing up around musical theatre and dreaming of a life on the stage. Now, as a singer-songwriter, she has been honing her craft in songwriting and performing for nearly a decade. With three distinctions from music college in Bristol and a flourishing scene in Amsterdam under her belt, her journey now in Brighton is ever growing, with regular gigs around the city. Always eager to deepen her sound and evolve her knowledge, Alina has been playing with different instruments and genres as she currently embarks on the journey to write her debut album.
