Full Review

Estella Dawn, Vixen Review

Estella Dawn is a New Zealand-born, US-based songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. Her songwriting style is filled with layers, both vocally and musically, subtle and soothing, but when needed, sharp and gritty. Consumed with all the details of her craft, she writes and records her vocals and piano and co-produces all aspects of her music. Dawn sings with the melodic command, subtlety, and range that spans genres with lyrics that are often personal and social explorations of life. 2020 was a prolific year for Dawn as she released ten tracks, her song “I Dare You” charted on the media base Radio Top 40 chart, she’s been interviewed by and had songs added to many radio stations, her songs have also been included on some big Spotify playlists, and she’s had many fantastic reviews by global music bloggers. 2021 has seen Dawn release four singles, and she has begun recording and producing her first full-length album set to be released in early 2022. Now Dawn is releasing her fifth single this year called “Vixen.”

Bottom Line: “Vixen” is an anthem to build the strength to feel comfortable in your own skin, regardless of your sexuality, desires, weight, or body shape. Dawn explains, “I think there’s a lot of pressure on people to present themselves in a proper, gentle, and socially acceptable way, and because of this, people often feel the need to hide their sexual diversity and desires. Sometimes only feel safe to truly express themselves in closeted or underground environments, even when there’s a risk of being “discovered” and shamed. For me, being assertive when you’re a woman is often misconstrued as being bossy or bitchy, and talking about sex or showing off your body opens the door to having your morals criticized. I wrote Vixen as a way to shed my own fears around my body and my sexuality. People sexualize me all the time; it’s my body, so why can’t I do the same?” Opening with beautiful vocal harmonies, Dawn’s robust vocals leads us through the powerful lyrics. The chorus shows Dawn’s impressive vocal range, and she produces a more aggressive sound. Dawn’s touchstones of layers are varied, and her writing is toned as the form develops with many subtle variations. The second verse and chorus have impressive vocal embellishments and the bridge builds to a climax of Dawn’s strong vocals. Overall, “Vixen” is another fine display of Dawn’s singing gifts and writing skills. Keep this one on the playlist until her new full-length album hits in 2022. That’s the short of it!