Waternixie

Dalinda is a UK-based, Libyan-born, Bosnian singer-songwriter whose music bears traces of many influences. Such a rich cultural background could make for fascinating musical fusion but, sadly, Waternixie is really hard to love. The root of the problem lies in the fact that neither Dalinda's voice nor her songs are especially strong. When singing in a simple Western pop style, everything is fine. But the moment she attempts mawaal vocal improvisations a lack of poise and control begins to show.

Her English lyrics are often complex and literary but sound stilted and uncomfortable in execution, especially on the title-track. Producer and multi– instrumentalist Pete Murray valiantly tries to surround Dalinda’s voice with lush textures but this does little to redeem some uninspired songs. Even the refreshingly uncluttered a capella ‘Dimitrije, Sine Metre’ is marred by intonation that is just this side of wince-inducing. I would go to the barricades to defend Dalinda’s right to record and release her songs; however, I would keep my money safely in my pocket.