“Daffodil Floors” by Mandi Mapes features a beautiful piano arrangement and an even more beautiful vocal performance. It feels so intrinsically touching, bolstered by poetic lyricism and delightful chord choices. Mandi Mapes excels in building a soft, poignant, immersive atmosphere for us all to melt into.
It begins with a jaunty, descending piano riff. A warbling electric keyboard soon joins in. “Hey it’s me / I almost lost my fire / Turns out that I’m a fighter,” Mandi utters gently, infusing the piano part with this bittersweet yet hopeful feeling. Her tone is warm and conversational, allowing the listener to feel welcomed. We follow her as she reflects on past sentiments, inviting new ways of thinking to her bright, sanguine musicality.
The first chorus arrives with a flourish of that aforementioned keyboard sound. She keeps this one calm and intimate, while the coming choruses utilize a lot more textures. Harmonies, acoustic guitar, and subtle drums ornament the others, heightening the urgency of her message and providing a pleasant yet minute rush of adrenaline. We coast through the song on a continuously building dynamic, topped by an instrumental brimming with strings. It’s an incredibly satisfying arc. Mandi perfects the art of manipulating emotionality and excitement in her music.
Be sure to give “Daffodil Floors” a listen! You’ll doubtlessly fall in love with this divinely meaningful demonstration of songwriting and delivery. Plus, you might just get a new favorite artist out of the experience. Mandi Mapes is a pristine example of an artist who makes organic, innate musical decisions.
Written by Alyce Lindberg