Last Friday, Hamilton, Ontario-based singer-songwriter Jenna Pemkowski released her highly anticipated second single, "Dynasty." After a decade of standout collaborations with renowned artists such as Zeds Dead, Memorecks, and Dabin, Pemkowski steps confidently into the spotlight with her first solo endeavor.
"Dynasty" shines in its production, with the song’s real strength emerging from the subtle transitions between verse and chorus. The chorus, in particular, offers a dynamic contrast to the softer, more introspective verses, creating a refreshing melodic variation. Pemkowski also displays a keen sense of tempo and atmosphere, especially in the second verse, where the music slows and the drums fade as she sings about slow dancing. This shift pauses time itself, revealing thoughtful artistic intentionality that enriches the track's otherwise understated sound.
However, while Pemkowski’s vocal delivery is undeniably soothing, it would benefit from greater variation. Much like artists such as The Marias, her voice stays in a soft, almost whispered register, rarely straying beyond a narrow emotional range. While this gentle consistency and simplicity can be captivating at first, it risks feeling monotonous. There are moments—such as the outro or the climactic build in the final chorus—where introducing vocal crescendos, heightened intensity, or raw, unfiltered emotion could deepen the track's emotional resonance and complexity, avoiding any sense of watered-down emotion or overproduction.
Another area where "Dynasty" loses momentum is in its closing pause, which feels somewhat disjointed and unnecessary. Instead of adding emotional weight or resolution, the sudden break disrupts the song’s flow, pulling the listener out of the immersive experience Pemkowski carefully crafted. Although the intention may have been to introduce a unique touch, the execution falls short. A more cohesive alternative—such as an evolving instrumental outro that revisits or reinterprets the song’s main melody—would have provided a smoother conclusion, allowing the track to leave a more lasting emotional impact without compromising its flow.
That said, Jenna Pemkowski stands at an exciting crossroads in her career, having laid a solid foundation with "Dynasty" that offers her room to grow in multiple directions.
I can envision her following the trajectory of artists like Wet or Vérité, who skillfully balance soft vocals with innovative production across their work. By drawing inspiration from these artists as a roadmap, Pemkowski could experiment more with vocal textures and creative risks in her production. Additionally, her atmospheric style seems ripe for sync placements, where her sound could easily complement film and television soundtracks.
As Pemkowski continues to refine her craft and push her artistic boundaries, she has the potential to carve out a distinctive space in the alternative pop landscape. "Dynasty" may not be a perfect song, but it marks a promising step forward, and I’m eager to see how her sound evolves in the coming years.
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