Review by Anthony Nguyen & Staff
The W.A M. Awards celebrate the year’s most outstanding independent artists from around the world in multiple genres and categories. "Best Song" and "Best Album" nominations were based on Artistry, Musicianship, Originality, Professionalism, Diversity, and Excellence. W.A.M. stands for "We Are the Music Makers.' Nina Lee's song "Lift Up" was the 2020 W.A.M. Award Winner for Best Song in the Social Justice / Peace category.
With a stellar combination of pristine vocals and excellent arranging, “Lift Up” by Nina Lee is a very empowering song. The piano is what is really driving the song forward, with a playing style very similar in something you might find in a Beatles song, it gives the song a nice glue. It’s sounds very delicate, but very appropriate at conveying the necessary emotion.
The other elements are also very well arranged. The kick comes in and out as needed to provide the song a nice boost, and the synths that appear throughout perform their job at making sure the song never loses interest. The synth bass is also a nice addition to give the song that gorgeous pop low end. Nina’s vocals are absolutely breathtaking. With a sultry undertone, the vocals evoke a sense of grandeur with every syllable.
The first verse establishes the theme song of hope and unity from the get go. It’s a bit understated, which gives the powerful chorus room to grow. The reason the chorus thrives so much is because of the powerful vocal performance delivered by Nina. There is some very tasteful producing throughout the ballad that provides a nice lift. In the verse there is a mysterious synth that appears that grabs the ear immediately. The last chorus is especially cathartic with its blend of vocal harmonies and a menagerie of different instruments.
The message of togetherness and empowering the world through throwing away our differences is evident throughout the song. “Stop blaming, Start preventing, And stop, pretending that In America, We have a leader we can trust, It’s up to us. We’ve had enough.” In such a tumultuous time a song that allows listeners to feel a sense of love and unity is something that is much needed. With a knockout vocal performance and industry leading arranging, “Life Up” by Nina Lee is a standout achievement in songwriting.
About Nina Lee Nina loves the feeling of crushed velvet against her skin Cade 26 burning in her apartment The idea of the underground railroad at the Waldorf Astoria Reliving a memory through smell Aperol Spritzes The tea in the hair salon that she can’t recall the name of that has a ginger-orange type of flavor
The voice of Amy Winehouse Dogs Hands Silk blazers The Great Gatsby and the Paradiso Bar in Barcelona Late night swimming in the ocean Nina will always be found with hand sanitizer in her purse, preferably lavender scented. The sunsets in Atlantic Beach on summer nights The specificity of children's handwriting and the innocence that it encapsulates Tye dye t-shirts and charcoal face masks, and tradition She loves to experience culture Rao’s in East Harlem But she will always go for sushi no matter what time of day The smell of the Upper West Side after it rains Nina appreciates that we don’t know what tomorrow brings The comfort of a yellow cab Raspy voices, the smell of a cigar The fear that is life And the urge to pass every hurdle put in front of her At a gathering if asked to sing, the answer is always yes.
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