Headphone # 53: For the love of pop

Before Corona began to keep the world in suspense, the Styrian had her personal Waterloo at the Song Contest 2019. In the semifinals, ridicule, malice and hatred against her on the net. What followed was a hangover and a finding phase that the 33-year-old needed, as she admits.

And then came the pandemic, it reduced a lot of things to zero and, above all, cultural workers were faced with the problem of not being able to perform. “That took the pressure off,” says Paenda (bourgeois Gabriela Horn) also sees something good during the forced break. “I wouldn’t have given myself this necessary break otherwise,” she says.

You can hear how good the break was on “My Issues”, the second EP just a few months after “My Heart”, which marks something of a restart. Because Paenda has also found herself musically, expanding her spectrum. By removing the symbolic mountain of clothing that had piled up, the essence of what she was doing came to light again. “I knew what was underneath and who I was. I am a thoroughbred musician and I decide when my career is over. ”

It’s not that far. Because experience has allowed Paenda to grow as a personality. You can hear that on “My Issues”. In a certain way, the new songs mark a change from inward contemplation to an outwardly carried happiness and zest for life. From the stylish, cool and also supercooled sound to a trendy form of expression that suits her well. To the vibe of “If That’s What You Like”, for example, you can dance with a smile.

Dancing is a good keyword. Because even when Paenda tried her hand at rock bands and studied jazz, she always danced from childhood. “I only wanted one thing: to dance to my music on stage, but I couldn’t.” So she always had to pretend to be a bit. That is now done. Because now it can be mainstream pop, with stylistic swings in one direction or the other.

She withstood the industry obituary (“change your name, your hair color and do something different”) and stayed who she is. A young woman who enjoys making music and who bears her name with conviction. “I love pop. Why should I make music that I wouldn’t hear myself? ”Paenda has landed. With yourself.

Paenda „My Issues EP“ (Sick Kick Records)

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