Tessa Dalton’s new single, “Whiplash,” is refreshingly textural for a softer singer-songwriter aura. “Whiplash” possesses the slightest tone of grunge and mystique beneath the heavy guitar during the chorus and smashing drums towards the end of the track. The single builds on the storyline of a situationship that hits turbulence and ends before expected. It leaves someone questioning what starting again will look and feel like as they are piecing their life back together: “I self destruct when I feel boxed in / I push you out, I lock me in / Mistake, we brake, then make amends / Abused your heart when I’m in my head.”
The single mirrors what most of what singer-songwriters are putting out today, so Dalton isn’t going back to square one in any sense, but the alternative rock spin on the song is simply vital. Much like Phoebe Bridgers, the song’s lyrical, emotional aspect is met with its equal instrumentality, which we hear during the gritty guitar build-up.
Listeners will revel in lyrics like “I knew nothing then / Could we start it new? / I know what you need now / Could I change for you? / And we’re in so deep / And I’m such a mess / Could we wipe it clean? / Could we start again?”
Originally from Payson, Utah, and raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho, Dalton is now a junior majoring in commercial violin at Belmont University in Nashville. She began her musical journey as an award-winning old-time fiddler. This is Dalton’s seventh single release and she wrote, sang, and played guitar while it was it was co-produced by Randy Slaugh and Ken Dudley.
While the song is widely relatable for her target audience, learning how to set boundaries in light of a messy relationship, we can hear clear inspiration from Gracie Abrams, Olivia Rodrigo, and Lizzy McAlpine: “Drove past the place we ran a red / Got drenched in rain a mile ahead / Sharp turns, fast brakes, burned up the gas / Stuck with an empty tank and whiplash.”
