REVIEW: Diana Silvers Brings a Heartfelt Debut With ‘From Another Room’
REVIEW
REVIEW
☆ BY SAMANTHA SORIA ☆
IF THE NAME DIANA SILVERS SOUNDS FAMILIAR TO YOU—it’s because you’ve probably seen her on your screen in Netflix’s comedy series Space Force (2020-2022) or in Blumhouse’s thriller Ma (2019). If neither of these jog your memory, then maybe her name rings a bell from Olivia Wilde’s feature directorial debut with the coming-of-age comedy film Booksmart (2019). Whatever the case may be, Silvers has built a music career outside of acting and conquered an exciting career milestone with the release of her debut album, From Another Room.
In its opening track, “Big Sur” paints a scenic image, not only of central California’s mountainous coastline, but of what is to come throughout the entire album: a harmonious, nostalgic, vulnerable, thoughtful and hopeful listening experience. “Airplane,” one of two songs Silvers directed music videos for, is a call to action for the singer-songwriter. In an interview with Variety, she noted that it stemmed from Trump’s re-election and the anger she felt, which fueled her to share what was on her mind, no matter how scary. Lyrics such as, “I was only fifteen / And now I’m scared,” as well as “There’s a man in the seat in front of me / And he’s angry about a baby girl who’s crying / And I feel like I could punch him in the throat” speaks to the frustration and fear so many women experience throughout their life.
“Frankie,” a personal favorite, brings a more youthful sound—one that pays homage to nostalgia and evokes memories of simpler times. “Just a Stranger” catches one’s ear with its sprinkle of flute throughout the track as it wraps itself around Silvers’ soft and tender vocals.
Things take a tear-jerking turn on “For Dad.” The fifth track is a time lapse as Silvers takes a moment of reflection, singing lines like “I watch the children get older / I watch my father get older too.” But it’s “The Dream” that shows Silvers’ brave and raw vulnerability. The track touches on a love that was gone too young. With the rush and power of guitar and drums, Silvers asks four heartwrenching, wondering lyrics that we’ve all asked: “Do you love me? / Do you miss me? / Do you want me? / Do you need me?”
By the latter half of the album, tracks “June” and “July” continue with its honest and clear imagery. “Burning in the Sun,” however, ignites a warm and fuzzy feeling in one’s chest, one that is reminiscent of the classic, singer-songwriter songs a parent introduces their child to for the first time and the discovery of a catalog of music waiting to be listened to that will then become a favorite.
In its closing tracks, “The Basement” and “Lullaby for George” are a bittersweet goodbye. You can’t help but celebrate the craft of both of these songs, as well as wanting more after they end. But in the end, Silvers leaves a heartwarming send-off on “Lullaby for George” with just two lines: “Love is heaven / Love is never-ending.”
From Another Room is an album that you turn to get a quiet moment for yourself. It’s an album that provides solace from chaos. It gives any listener the uninterrupted opportunity to take a deep breath in and exhale slowly. The invitation to take a glimpse inside Silvers’ musical journal entries is a privilege that creates a magical bond between artist and fan. For a debut album that achieves this masterfully, it's an impressive accomplishment that deserves applause and every bouquet of flowers.
