New Music Critique: TRISTN

Sub-standard production quality handicaps NY-based artist TRISTN, whose effervescent brand of pop-rock (reminiscent of Radio Disney fare) is undermined by poor sound mixing that consistently causes her lead vocals––so central in pop-rock––to be overwhelmed by the sonic overload. There’s simply too much going on in each of these recordings and “Sky Wide Open” is an example. The song’s energetic 4/4 beat and guitar-driven energy are strong and promising, but her lead vocals never get a chance to rise above the clamor. That said, TRISTN is a songwriter with a knack for pop hooks. And her voice (what we can hear of it) has its moments, as on “Anywhere But Here,” that are appealing and even seductive.