Stariana, "Paradise is Lost on You" EP Review

Post-punk/Darkwave duo, Stariana, bring a slice of wonderful darkness from the PNW with their new release, "Paradise is Lost on You". The EP follows a series of singles released from 2017 to 2020, and gives us a glimpse of what the duo is truly capable of with 6 songs, and a running time of almost 30 minutes. The EP opens strong with "Pale Horses". The instrumentals are a darkwave dream come true, with everything you'd expect from an artist in the genre; pulsing bass lines on top of steady percussion, with guitars that jangle in icy fervor. But the real kicker lies within vocalist Nikki Brackett's earnest and powerful delivery, lending a rawness rarely found in the genre's typical baritone crooning. Each lyric sang is an emotional gut punch, taking the listener deep into every feeling that was experienced by the songwriter. "Crimson Lands" follows much in the same vein, with darker lyrical content, and the same powerful vocal delivery. The EP is not without a bit of levity, however. The title track carries a tone of biting sarcasm, and the cover of Blondie's "Heart of Glass" is an absolute blast to listen to as Nikki Brackett's voice pays an incredible tribute to Debbie Harry. Released on Halloween of 2022, "Paradise is Lost on You" is a late coming contender for EP of the year, and is not a release to be missed out on.