The history of dioramas is steeped in theatre, drama, and storytelling, so it is only fitting that the new album by Brooklyn-based musician, Hailey Wojcik, is called just that. The eleven tracks that comprise the self-released, “Diorama,” are each their own little three-dimensional story, filled with vivid imagery and a cast of characters full of angst and jealousy and chaos and misfortune and separation, yet through the talent of Ms. Wojcik’s gifts, are told with humor and irony and a playfulness that shines with clever, often literary, wordplay and unexpected pointedness.

Masterfully produced by Drawing Number One’s Dan Romer (Ingrid Michaelson, Jenny Owen Youngs, Bess Rogers), each song has a slightly different feel, whether country-tinged, Atari-blipped electronica, dark drum-and-synth laden moodiness, catchy guitar-based pop, quirky indie pop, or more straight-forward pop. Despite the variety of sounds and moods and stories, however, the single, unifying, and most satisfying aspect of the album is Ms. Wojcik voice. With skills obviously honed over many years, she clearly recognizes the importance of using her voice as its own instrument, and is capable of a full range of expressions depending on the story she is telling.

A subversive, literary songstress and gifted storyteller, Wojcik’s “Diorama” is like slapping a guitar around Regina Spektor’s neck and throwing her in a blender to bloody her up a little bit– all with a tongue placed firmly in cheek. The result? A calling-card of an album that announces a new star of the indie music scene.
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