Tessa Dalton, a Nashville-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, has another single hitting that mark, the alternative pop-rock anthem “Whiplash,” which perfectly captures the emotional travails of modern love. With deep lyrics, soaring guitar riffs, and a dynamic vocal performance, Dalton embraces heartache in favor of its captivating chaos.
At its heart, “Whiplash” is about the type of relationship you have ever guessed. It’s a situation in which feelings are real, but commitment is nowhere in sight. It’s that give and take where you know the bond isn’t meant to endure, but you can’t stop staying. Dalton captures that emotional tug-of-war with crippling honesty, and “Whiplash” is instantly familiar to anyone who’s ever been ensnared by a romance that is as blisteringly enjoyable as it is draining.
The song’s making was as spontaneous as its subject matter. Dalton penned “Whiplash” during a break at the recording studio, putting her guitar through the motions and creating lyrics in a voice memo. What started as a spur-of-the-moment creative instinct quickly turned into something bigger, when her producer picked up his guitar and began playing along. That organic energy is palpable in the final version, on which Dalton’s supple, double-tracked vocals glide over a writhing instrumental, soft and pensive during the verses, then exploding into an emboldened chorus driven by rock guitars.
“Whiplash” captures the emotional whiplash of its title. The song’s patient construction resembles the ebbs and flows of a toxic romance, quiet periods interrupted by ephemeral eruptions of desire and resentment. Vigil balances vulnerability and power between the dreamy, intimate vocal lines and sharp, dynamic guitar work and keeps listeners engaged from start to finish.
Connect with Tessa Dalton on Instagram – @daltontessa
