Talon David – Paradise State of Mind (2025)
With her bright shining eyes and big warm grin, Talon David can draw you in with a smile; however, there is far more that lies beneath the happy exterior. Raised in a musical household just outside of Nashville, the singer-songwriter found herself whirled about with various genres and influences. Skip ahead a little, and Talon David holds a Bachelor of Music from Belmont University, has received Grammy recognition for the single ‘Deep Snow’, and is a completely independent producer and musician releasing her DIY debut album in 2021. Using music and creativity as a form of expression and communication, David wishes to create a place of solace for people, offering a sense of hope in the darkest of times.
Following her well-received 2024 EP, …and Deep Winter, Talon David releases her self-penned, performed and produced single ‘Paradise State of Mind’. Written over five or six years, ‘Paradise State of Mind’ is a labour of love, and you can hear the intimacy and personal narrative in both the melody and lyricism. Oddly enough, while David mentions that people “need more songs that bring genuine smiles and aren’t all bubblegum”, this single waltzes through a kaleidoscopic field of pop.
Driven by a baritone ukulele, but with shimmers of acoustic piano and bold beats, ‘Paradise State of Mind’ is happy, fun, and the refreshing lift you need during mundane times. Add David’s smooth, rich vocals, and one can easily place this song in the “best of summer” playlists. For me, however, there is a throaty obscurity in David’s voice that leans toward acts like Sandi Thom or Joss Stone, but you shouldn’t take these comparisons too much to heart as Talon David has her own flair.
As I mentioned, intimacy can be heard in the melody, but the lyrics are as intriguing and significant. David shares:
“I wrote ‘Paradise State of Mind during Covid, as I muscled through my shift at the Barista Parlor in the Nashville International Airport. My need to travel was overwhelming, so I crafted this song to be a tad of a lifeline for tackling restlessness until we could travel again. Five years later, I live abroad and still struggle with restlessness… It’s significant because it’s realistically positive and upbeat, like a fun-loving flipping the bird at the anxiety-mongers of our modern time…”
Find out more about Talon David on her official website, Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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