5 Songs I Love w/ FIONA

Following the release of her debut single 'Enough's Enough', we caught with with rising UK singer-songwriter FIONA to find out more about what influences her pop-R&B/ Jazz infused style. If you enjoy FIONA's picks be sure to check out 'Enough's Enough' at the end of the article.

1. Vortex- Lizzy McAlpine

THIS SONG! Lizzy McAlpine’s ability to reach into the depths of your soul and pull the raw emotions out is unmatched to any artist I have ever listened to. Her raw and emotional tone and lyrics that match the opening piano accompaniment invite the listener into Lizzy’s inner thoughts and feelings, making this song all the more relatable. As the song builds so does the feeling and by the bridge I am blown away.  The breathtaking final line ‘Someday, you’ll come back and I’ll say no’ followed by the 1 minute 30 outro that features beautiful vocal lines, motifs from her other songs and incredible instrumentation is the perfect finish to this song. 

2. Make You Feel My Love - Adele 

Adele is the artist responsible for igniting my love for singing, writing and music. Her heartful lyrics and beautiful rich vocals make her songs so loved by so many. To me this album (19) is her most raw and real, both feelings that I try and emulate in my own work. I thank Adele for her heartbreaking and honest songs and forever being my inspiration. 

3. Nobody knows- Shawn Mendes 

I love the warmth of this song, and the way the guitar accompaniment paints the mind with shades of orange and gold. Mendes’s depiction of intense love in the verses, juxtapose to the sentiment of the chorus, after being left to question where this all-encompassing love can go, now that the relationship is over ‘where does it go?’. The intensity of feeling in this song is what makes it so heartfelt and heartbreaking. 

4. A Song for You- Donny Hathaway 

With a haunting piano intro followed by Hathaway’s gorgeous rich vocals this song is truly sang from the heart. Allowing the listener to be enveloped by his every word as though he is singing directly to you, this sense of closeness to the artist and his feelings creates an emotional connection which I believe is what makes this song one of my favourites. 

5. Dignity- Deacon Blue 

A lot of my music taste comes from car journeys with my Dad. This is one of the many songs he has played me over the years and the one that we come back to time and time again. I think the reason I love this song so much is the way in which it tells a story, a key thing that I try to do with my own music. Taking the listener on a journey accompanied with beautiful piano lines and a strong powerful drumbeat.  

Listen to FIONA 'Enough's Enough'