Retro-sounding songs are all the rage these days. Seems like every other week we’re hearing songs that could’ve fit in during the 80s or 90s; certainly, nothing wrong with that, especially since it beats what was on the charts during the middle part of the last decade. Vancouver native Tess Anderson’s latest single, the charmingly vibrant “Prison” may be one of the few that brings back the pop-rock sound of the early 2000s, and is all the better for it.
“Prison” immediately comes off as a more modern take on Michelle Branch’s first album, albeit with far better vocals and better production. Make no mistake, this is one mighty catchy song and Anderson’s excellent vocals carry it to a whole other level. The idea of being stuck in a prison of your own making is a universal one, and Anderson’s delivery makes this concept come off as relatable as opposed to cliched.
As far as the production goes, everything sounds top-notch. Everything sounds so crisp, from the driving guitars to the drums, to the fantastic vocals; even better, there’s actual nuance and dynamics. Oftentimes, there is a tendency to attempt to layer a song with a ton of different layers and then compress the living hell out of it, resulting in a busy yet sonically dead track. Thankfully, that’s not the case here. Indeed, this is a real sonic treat to listen to via headphones. She has a degree in audio engineering and music production, and it definitely shows.
Tess Anderson started making music at the young age of 12 but didn’t issue her first release until 2021. That said, with songs like this at her disposal, it’s only a matter of time before she becomes a household name. If this is “prison”, lock me up and throw away the key.
Listen to "Prison" on Spotify here -
You can check out Tess Anderson’s website here: