If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Ashley Gellman "Heavy Metal" might be my favorite of Madi Diaz's songs, and she's released a new version of it from her upcoming UN-unplugged edition of last year's phenomenal Fatal Optimist. The original version is just Diaz and her guitar, and the re-worked version includes drums and Lucy Dacus singing backup vocals and taking on a verse. Even with the added elements, "Heavy Metal (UN-unplugged)" feels more raw and stripped down than the original. The emotions of the song are heightened, and Diaz has added something extra special to an already deeply emotional song. We've long been confounded that Diaz isn't one of the most popular artists of her generation, and this version of "Heavy Metal" only helps prove us correct. Madi Diaz says of her latest single: “Doesn’t Lucy Dacus just sound like Frank Sinatra with a velvet cape and gloves on? I could listen to her verse in my ears on repeat. I was so honored when she agreed to ad...

Photo by Allister Ann If you've seen Madi Diaz in the past year, you've probably seen her perform "This is How a Woman Leaves," a song she wrote for Maren Morris. In September, Diaz will be releasing a deluxe "UN-unplugged" version of last year's excellent Fatal Optimist , which will include her version of "This is How a Woman Leaves." We've long said that we have no idea how Diaz isn't a household name and playing arenas, and this song shows exactly why. This is simply an excellent song, and Diaz performs it expertly and emotionally. It's the kind of song you instantly want to share with everyone you know, since everyone needs to hear it.  Madi Diaz says of her upcoming deluxe version of Fatal Optimist: “These songs have two sides now. One being the insular raw, knee jerk world of Fatal Optimist . In UN-unplugged land, I sat with some of my favorite players to date, and we fumbled through these songs together. Not so solitary, more...