Phoenix Uncaged is Lexi Jones and Kianna Ryan who infuse their potent singer and songwriting skills into a strong partnership as a rock duo. Lead vocalist and songwriter Kianna is a powerhouse rock, pop, and rhythm & blues vocalist who hails from the outskirts of Detroit. Teen singer-songwriter Lexi is cited as “one of the youngest and brightest singer-songwriters to come out of Chicago in years.”
Their new release, “Open Your Eyes”, follows their socially conscious debut single, Pennsylvania Avenue that dropped in May 2018. Both songs will be on their soon to be released self-titled debut EP, Phoenix Uncaged.
Kianna’s musical journey began at an early age when she fronted her family band playing guitar and piano. Her musical influences come from her love of Motown, Blues, and Hispanic music and include Bonnie Raitt, Susan Tedeschi, Etta James, and Selena y Los Dinos. The soulful singer has also caught the attention of many heavyweight collaborators that include Blue Miller (Bob Seger, India.Arie), Nick Trevisick (Paramore, Janet Jackson), the late Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper, Air Supply), Ricky Schultz (k.d. Lang, Seal), and Randy Lynch (Eminem, Kanye West). She has given her voice to charitable causes including animal rescue to assisting abused children.
Lexi’s artistry for poignant lyrics and infectious melodies have brought her a loyal and passionate fan base, moving audiences in theatres and coffee shops from Illinois to England. The universal appeal of her pop sensibilities includes her popular anthem for the Major League Baseball’s World Championship Kansas City Royals. Her musical influences include Gabrielle Aplin and Halsey, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sigala.
Their music is cited to empower and inspire people to stand up for what they believe in. “We’re just two old souls who write real songs with real stories and feelings,” according to the young singer-songwriters.
Currently, Lexi and Kianna are working on new music and there are plans for a music video for “Open Your Eyes”. Lexi released her solo debut single, Greetings from the Graveyard on March 8, 2019.
“Open Your Eyes” is an emotionally hard-hitting ballad with haunting powerhouse vocals and harmonies and lyrics that deliver an authentic take on the game of love.
The brief intro is comprised of beautifully harmonized hums sliding along with the accompanying acoustic guitar, interrupted briefly with a tingling whisper of “open your eyes” before you feel yourself floating back into the dreamy vocal harmony and guitar solo. The soothing acoustic guitar melody complements Kianna’s sultry but strong vocal entry into the first verse.
You can sense the pure rawness in her soulful vocals exuding vulnerability in the entire verse as she laments to her lover that she wasn’t expecting to fall for him. The tension builds to the chorus with her feeling so emotionally invested but questioning her lover’s true motives and you feel a slight ramp up of anticipation as she relays her lover’s stereotypical response.
Entering the chorus, the full-on rock band soundscape, and Kianna’s vocal release blasts you out of your realm. Her explosive robust voice reaches the stratosphere but at the same time blends seamlessly with Lexi’s equally strong harmonies. Kianna pleads for her lover to open up his eyes to really see her and what he’s got and not leave her broken-hearted while he goes off with another girl. The ache in her potent vocals backed by Lexi’s emotive backing vocal melts your heart when she asks if he thinks of her when he’s with his other lover.
At the end of the chorus, the slow drum beat brings you back down the mountain. From here, in the second verse is where you feel the shift in the soundscape and in Kianna’s attitude to her lover. The backdrop of heavy drum and acoustic guitar give you a sense of something about to go down. It’s here that she delivers a dressing down. She calls him out on his game, demanding that he can’t have both her and his other lover. She delivers the last word of the verse, “boy”, with a drawn-out vocal jab that you can almost hear a sneer in her voice. But she’s not done yet.
The next twist comes when Kianna hints of a coming taunt in the remainder of the verse. Through visual lyrics, she first reprimands her lover for hanging his head down, then builds him up with how she enjoys his attention, then knocks him down again, reminding him she could get bored with it all. You can detect a subtle low growl in her voice as she tells him she’s longed for the disaster which her lover has mastered. But with a forceful wailing vocal that gives you goosebumps, Kianna changes perspective and admits he is what she’s been waiting for.
Coming out of this, the song launches forcefully back into the emotionally ramped up chorus. Kianna’s vocals take on an even more captivating texture and power, elongating each word with an undeniable passion and ache to the last word. Lexi’s vocals harmonize with a flowing beauty behind Kianna’s making the lyrics an even more impactful. You can feel the final emotional release until the last rousing note. Then the song circles back to the beginning with the acoustic guitar melody followed by the haunting whispered words “open up your eyes”, and a brief harmony before it abruptly fades out.
Very Highly Recommended. Phoenix Uncaged is a breath of fresh air with their ability to capture the essence of emotion in their songwriting and performance. Kianna’s soulful, powerful vocals and Lexi’s strong, bright vocals, and impactful songwriting is reminiscent of another powerhouse duo, Ann and Nancy Wilson (Heart). The talented Phoenix Uncaged duo should be on your artists to watch this year list and playlist. Their upcoming new music release will be very much anticipated as would a full-length album or EP.
Buy/Stream “Open Your Eyes” is available on all music platforms: iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon, and Spotify
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