BWW Album Review: Lena Hall's OBSESSED: P!NK Satisfies Fully

Lena Hall rings in May with OBSESSED: P!NK, a tribute to the diva who transitioned from mercurial party girl to a songstress giving the world healthy doses of resilient strength, love, and feminism. With both artists being inspiringly bold, with vocals defined by their signature grit, and both possessing a magnetizing stage presence, this EP seems almost too obvious a choice. Yet, as with each of the previous entries in the "Obsessed" series, it does anything but disappoint.

The record opens with a lush rendition of "Sober." Hall keenly taps into the vulnerability of the beloved ballad without being plaintive. Instead, Hall fills every phrase with all the spectacular bombast her instrument can muster. This resonant emotional fortitude is echoed in Justin Craig's tender and evocative accompaniment on the acoustic guitar.

Next, Hall offers a genial cover of P!nk's latest radio hit, "What About Us." Hall uses the airier elements of her voice to give this cover a lighter timbre that reverberates with the necessary hope despite the underlying symptoms of being truly lovesick.

Flipping to the early days of P!nk's solo career, Hall performs a completely reorchestrated version of "Just Like a Pill." The acoustic guitar, played to perfection by Craig, breathes new air into the familiar chart-topper. Add in Hall's vocal line, sung with pristine indignation and a delicious raw edge, and you've got a surefire crowd-pleaser that is masterfully reimagined to showcase Hall's talent.

Closing the EP, Hall fully displays the sweet, tender side of her voice with a lush iteration of "Glitter in the Air." She buffs away every one of her raw, raspy edges, offering only perfectly polished notes that shimmer and shine with radiant glory as she moves through the intoxicating melody. With undeniable passion and heart, Hall's version of this song is nothing short of lovely, and it moves into the area of breathtaking when her voice is keenly layered on top of itself for a short phrase or two.

Listening to the OBSESSED: P!NK EP, I find myself picturing P!nk listening to this ode to her artistry and enjoying it mightily. This tribute wonderfully encapsulates the elements that make both of these women such sought after singers. I just hope that as Hall moves forward with her tributes that she steps back into the mold of using both chart-topping hits and lesser-known rarities, B-sides, and deep cuts.

Lena Hall's OBSESSED: P!NK was released by SKB Records and can be purchased at www.LenaHallObsessed.com. The EP is also available on all digital and streaming platforms.

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