With “Across The Street” Nikita Lev, delivers a song that is a sonic masterclass in how to delicately layer a song with soft instrumentation whilst also subtly growing towards a crescendo throughout the song’s running time. Each repeated listen brings yet another instrument, sitting meticulously placed in the mix, to our attention – this allows both ourselves, and other listeners, to return to the song and to continuously feel as though we’re discovering yet another dimension to this gem of a song.

Soft acoustic guitar launches the introduction and makes use of either open airy chords or a pleasant open-tuning. Nikita’s vocals then deliver a soft-though-precise singing style that has both clarity and character, whilst a piano begins to add some depth to the lower frequencies, which are then contrasted with a mandolin bringing higher notes to the song. The warm mix and smooth production quality envelopes the listener with the song’s soothing sound which then allows the lyrics to be truly appreciated as Nikita’s voice floats gently above the instrumentation, weaving additional melodies against the sonic backdrop.

This makes for a superb introduction to Nikita Lev’s music which may be a feeling shared by Nikita as “Across The Street” is also the opening song to her debut seven-song EP – “I Believed It At The Time” – released in summer this year.

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