Pop singer-songwriter Annabelle Tiffin has released her second single “Motion Sickness” following her January debut. With clear inspiration from the worlds of pop and folk, the single will be well received by fans of Gracie Abrams and Sydney Rose.
Doubled guitars heavily panned left and right create a wide space and start off the song with some folk sensibilities. As the first verse progresses, a booming kick drum works to further emphasise this large space. This choice blends well with Tiffin’s strong voice, which demands attention.
In the second verse, wistful backing vocals and plucked keys offer a sudden change in tone as the song slows down only for pulsing chords to speed up the chorus. While the reasoning behind the changes in pace and tone are clear in Tiffin’s lyrics and vocal delivery, they do feel very abrupt and not well built up.
Attention is clearly given to the lyrics, as Tiffin expresses anguish throughout. Starting in the first verse, Tiffin makes it clear that she is stuck in an unloving relationship with the line “double down like a kid, least you spoke to me that night” describing an immature but emotional exchange. This is only further highlighted in the chorus’s “hate me but don’t you leave me,” summarising the relationship’s dysfunctional nature. Finally, a longing for a more loving past is revealed in the outro’s “hold onto anger, hold onto the memory.” Songwriting is definitely the strength of Tiffin’s music, with a well-thought-out balance between raw, unfiltered emotions and delicate imagery.
Annabelle Tiffin’s “Motion Sickness” sees the young Australian move more confidently into her artistry following the release of her debut single. Stepping more into the pop space, the single offers a new look at what’s to come from the emerging artist.
