You Can’t Cover Your Pain in “Tinsel,” But Sydney Dale Gives Voice to a Lonely Christmas
- Isabella Basile
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Sydney Dale’s Christmas EP, ‘Tis The Season, released December 5th, blends pop, jazz, R&B, and folk, featuring four songs, two originals, “Winter” and “Tinsel,” and two classics, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “Blue Christmas.” Dale is an emerging artist who calls the Pacific Northwest her home, though she has traveled far and wide. At just nine years old, Dale started to write her own songs, releasing her first single at the age of fourteen. Her lyrics are poetic and authentic, immersing listeners deep into her storytelling. In addition to singing, Dale also plays the guitar, ukulele, and the piano in her songs.
“Tinsel”
Lyrics and Vocals: Sydney Dale
Keys: Simeon Titmus
Electric Guitar, Percussion, and Production: Casey Miller
In the words of Sydney Dale: “I am leaning into a shift to a jazz and R&B-infused pop. I’m learning more about who I am and who I want to be as an artist. I had so much fun writing, creating, and recording this EP with new people and in a new place. I hope you enjoy it.”
LONG STORY SHORT: Sydney Dale’s “Tinsel” captures the pain of loneliness on Christmas with lyrics such as “I’m so empty,” “I never felt so cold,” and “you can’t cover this pain / with tinsel,” immersing us in her pain. The track is filled with color and vibrato, really honing in on the jazz and R&B style she was going for. It has this melancholy vibe to it, though there is so much cheer around her, she feels empty and alone. The piano at 0:54 catches you off guard when it becomes heavier with the addition of bells, percussion, and high notes that feel of loneliness and longing. One of the most powerful parts of the song was at 1:36, where she sings “‘Tis the season” with a vocal trill on the word season. And though her high notes are impressive, I love it when a woman can sing a beautiful and powerful low note, and she did just that in the chorus, “Candles glow / I never felt so cold,” specifically on “so cold.”
Stream “Tinsel” below!