The Wake

Dalia - Treetops and Telephone Wires

From the first track on Treetops and Telephone Wires, Dalia’s acoustic sounds draw listeners in for a soft and powerful musical treat. Dalia is the indie solo project of Minneapolis artist Jeni Kozicky, who released Treetops and Telephone Wires in December. Each track features something unique. Although the majority of the songs are solo tracks, Dalia does not limit herself to being another solo-acoustic artist.

“Alley Distribution” features Sean Anon, adding a catchy rhythm and hip-hop flair to the otherwise acoustic song. Later in the album, “The Hum” features New MC, combining New MC’s hip-hop sounds and Dalia’s smooth singing and acoustic guitar. One might question the combination of acoustic and hip-hop, but the two elements compliment each other and create a completely distinct flavor. While Treetops and Telephone Wires only features two hip-hop artists, some of the instrumental beats carry over into other songs, such as “Too Much” and “Pass You By.” If there is such a thing as acoustic hip-hop, “The Hum” does a fine job of demonstrating the combination.

The majority of Dalia’s singing is flowing and ethereal. Some of it is soothing and some is upbeat. The album as a whole is chill, making it easy to sit back and listen to. Dalia’s guitar work is beautifully done. It is pleasing and complex, sometimes singular and sometimes accompanied by additional guitars or percussion. Just as “Heart Strings” introduces the album with the ambient sounds of acoustic guitars, “Music Box,” true to its namesake, gains strength and then fades into silence, gradually signaling the end of the album. Overall, the album is a combination of instrumental acoustic tracks, feature tracks with a hip-hop twist, and solo performances. Dalia is an artist that is definitely all about the music: kick back, relax, and enjoy the sounds.