Mesmerizing is a word that first comes to mind when I reflect on Danielia Cotton’s music. I first became aware of her musical gifts when I watched her perform her set, opening for Living Colour in Chicago in the early 2000s. Small White Town, released in 2005, didn’t leave my disc player for a year. I would check into her albums and EPs over the years, and even caught a few more live performances but, to my regret, lost track of her.
A Different War fills in some of the gaps in my knowledge. The six-song EP is as hard-charging and personal as anything in her career, and completely engaging.
The album’s first single, “Forgive Me,” starts things off and pulls no punches. The song is intensely personal, yet easily relatable. Written by Cotton and her sister, Catherine Filmer-Hogan, the song is a tale of someone seeking redemption and the need to purge demons in order to retain identity. Musically, “Forgive Me” is as powerful as it is lyrically.
The title song brings in guest Mickey Factz to provide a poignant rap before the Church Boys, Cotton’s skilled band, kicks in. “A Different War” tackles the issue of racial injustice and inequality full-on, yet is musically powerful and tuneful. Guitarist Emmanuel Rossillo gets a little room to flex his muscles, bringing to a climax this compact and touching look at what we have become as a country.
“Cheap High” combines the micro and macro world, while letting the Church Boys display a little more nuance and power. The mid-tempo rocker also lets Danielia Cotton use her powerful voice to address greed, lies and despair. The song is an effective anthem focusing on where we are as a society. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the stomping backbeat provided by bassist Seth Nicholson and drummer John Lopez.
Taking a slight left turn, Cotton vocals on “Better Off Without You” begins in a fragile place then moves to a more powerful stance, as she tells a story which also moves from mournful to empowered. She has never sounded better as she copes with betrayal and loss. This may be an often-told story, but in Danielia Cotton’s hands you feel every bit of the pain and resolution.
“She Too,” the EP’s closing song, turns up the burners. Guitarist Matt Beck accelerates the pace with a distorted rhythm that is tied to Cotton’s powerfully convincing lead vocal. This is a tale of female empowerment, and it’s a wonderful anthem. The song jumps out of the speakers, but more importantly it puts you on notice that Danielia Cotton is back – and she’s not pulling punches.
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