“Instincts” is the latest release from Talon David. The “Not My Problem” dynamite continues to flex her emotional songwriting muscles with the assistance of renowned songwriter, Thornton Cline. Cline, a 2021 Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductee, has met the perfect tennis partner in David. Not only is her vocal voice confident and strong, but her skills as a wordsmith also draws from a universally-sound emotional springboard. “Instincts” is a rousing reminder that the classic arrangement of piano always has a place and music, and that the world of pop music is just as varied as the artists releasing music these days.
David’s words in “Instincts” are easy to follow and just as easily to fall for – she sings the things you want to say when you’re having a crisis of conscience or even just trying to make a basic decision. I have a hunch this song is more about navigating the music industry and all the trappings. “Instincts” is like the first chapter if Alanis Morrisette hadn’t written “Jagged Little Pill Just Yet”. Or, at the very least the track “Right Through You”. David is obviously less angry and jaded. She still brings the fire and the drama. “Instincts” follows its own path and delivers a highly unique and tightly-produced song.
Besides David’s wonderful voice, the musicality in “Instincts” is quite impressive. The piano in this song tells the same story David projects with her voice. Emotive and meandering like a river finding its way through a cavern, the piano keys shimmer and elevate David’s voice. For all the soft moments and lighter (prettier) tones, the piano keys also share a moving tale that leads me to believe she’s been struggling or gnawing at a particular decision. The lines “mirror, mirror on the wall, you think you see it all” is perfectly portrayed with the piano keys. The piano, to me, is glass-like and fragile. David really hones into that imagery and evokes sensitivity. By the end of the song, though, as a listener I felt very connected to David’s transition. She’s confident. When she sings the line “impulse”, too, there is a quick moment that the percussion hits on that beat – again dangling that emotion and feeling right before my very eyes. It was almost tangible.
David, who in 2017 won a chance to attend the Grammys with her song “Deep Snow” as part of the Grammy Foundation Teen’s Make Music Contest, is quite talented. She has the ‘it’ factor as they say. I love her style and her authenticity in “Instincts”. This might sound weird, and normally I don’t do this, but I felt like “Instincts” has the chance to be expanded by other artists. I loved David’s voice, for sure, but I could also see other artists of any genre or gender taking on this song. I could also picture it as a dance track too. Regardless, to hear David sing this song live acoustically or note-for-note the way it’s recorded would be a fantastic experience.
Jodi Marxbury