SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: DOMI HAWKEN – WATER AND THE WINE

DOMI HAWKEN
WATER AND THE WINE
INDEPENDENT

The term ‘mash-up’ is used far too often and not always correctly. In the case of Domi Hawken, there really is no other term to describe her own brand of music. There are elements of punk, hard rock, folk, and pop. She rolls them all together and the end result is a distinct, energetic, original sound.

The EP opens with the pop-rock title track “Water And The Wine”. The song has a strong beat and it features a brilliant arrangement. Hawken adds more and more intensity as the song plays out. One is not really sure where she is going with the song, but as the song comes to an end, one really needs to catch their breath. This is followed by the much slower and wonderfully arranged “The Moment I Need You The Most”, which is a deceptive song, as it also builds to a crescendo of anger/energy.

The EP ends with the more folky “1 2 3”. It initially has the sound of a demo, but again, Hawken has the ability to take a simple song/arrangement and add to it. She is quite calculated with what she adds and she makes sure the layered and additional production adds rather than detracts. Sometimes, it is easy for an artist to keep producing and losing the strength of the song. Hawken, especially with “1 2 3” knows when enough is enough.

Water And The Wine is Hawken’s second EP. She has developed her own distinct voice and sound. She is able to mix sounds and genres together to create something very unique and brilliant. She spans a great deal in just three tracks, but it is clear, she has a lot to say and her own way of saying it.

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