Something fierce is in the thrilling air. The new single “Video Game” from pop singer Lainey Dionne bends the beats and features fantastically-timed fast-moving vocal arrangements. Imagine the voices of Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and Miley Cyrus and you might get a clearer picture of Dionne’s strength. A song that exudes empowerment and kicks out those negative feelings holding oneself back “Video Game” comes into April unmatched. A slick music bed and bit of a biting grip, this pop song drips with electronica and Dionne’s transportive vocals.
In the song, Dionne sings of being stuck on level 27. Now, I’m not sure if this means that she’s 27 years-old in real life, if the guy is 27, or if it has a special numerology that I’m not getting. I liked how she called out this level right away – almost giving way to the idea that she’s invested quite a bit of time. She didn’t just start this relationship and she’s far enough into it where she’s starting to see clearly. She also understands that she doesn’t want to be controlled and the guy she’s with wants someone he can control. I’m trapped in your video game, she sings. Later she sings I’m your video game, you’re pushing my buttons. I loved this play on words – the idea that not only is he not good for her, quite possibly they aren’t good for each other and she knows that she doesn’t like the person she becomes around him.
Flowing underneath her made-for-pop-music vocals is this stirring, sometimes surging jolt-like synth beats. I loved the pace, the tempo of the song and the way it ebbs and flows when she delivers a knock-out stretch of rapid-fire lyricism. She’s not Techn9ne and it’s not rap, but she can sure sing fast when she wants to. I loved that energized and caffeinated projection. It’s not spastic, but it’s pretty cool. I thought it really played well into the song’s theme and the way your brain can go to places that seem so scattered and amplified when you’re playing chess games in your own mind. I’m really digging the overall vibe in “Video Game” and the way it made me connect in a way that was totally unexpected.
“Video Game” marks yet another stellar outing for the Rhode Island-based singer/songwriter. It’s also one of her darker, grittier-sounding tracks to-date. She’s masterful at building a storyline, illustrating her point-of-view with descriptive lyrics and “Video Game” doesn’t disappoint. I think it also further defines her as an artist – there is more to her than what we’ve seen. Her Self-Titled album continues to peel back layers and layers to her listeners. I think she writes for both the voiceless and the ageless – she seems to wear rose-colored glasses when she needs to but is as grounded as they can come. “Video Game” is ready to play – just press start. This is a game you want to see and hear and until the very end, then dive right into again.
Chadwick Easton