Diandra Reviews It All

Prepare for a “gush-fest”. My readers know that I love gratitude enough to have a feature on an episode of Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday just to talk about the virtue. Thus, seeing Adam Friedman at Irving Plaza made me relish the sweetness of a rising artist eager to be seen, gain a fan, and, overall, sing his heart out.

There is something so beautiful about new, rising artists. They are incredibly present in their ambition and the love of a crowd. They are direct and distinct in their desire to win one over, which makes them more cognizant of what, in them, they wish to shine: from talent to personality. Friedman’s choice in singing debut EP, Green, was to show his positivity and hope. From “Signals” to “Sad”, Friedman’s music felt like beautiful synthwave of self-acceptance. Each song promoted the idea that both the good and bad feelings you feel are okay and human. You can let yourself be happy, even if its unexpected, and you can let yourself be sad, even if its undesired. The deep messages were massively moving for how easy they fell upon the crowd’s ears and minds. Friedman, a multi-instrumentalist, stands on the stage playing, by himself, the instruments laid before his grasp and mixing keys that, altogether, make his sound appear like a nature record. At least, they have the same calming, cohesive effect. Like hearing the sounds of a river flowing or trees rustling in wind, his arrangements fell upon the crowd with a brisk effortlessness. Meanwhile, his crisp, gentile vocals only added to the affect. Thus, for a crowd of Posner devotees readying to get “lit” , Friedman’s cool, kind spiritual uplift came as a welcoming surprise.

Friedman was sweet and gracious as he played his music and moved the crowd to join him in singing for empowerment. Ending on “What If”; seeing batches of friends and couples sing “I Believe” in repetition was romantic. All we needed was stars above us to shine and brighten at the site of a mass grouping of people declaring their faith in love and that love is fate. It was a moment needed on this earth, and Friedman provided it with joy and warmth. Moreover, Friedman was happy and proud of himself in the most altruistic way. He did not want to give a good show out of arrogance. He just wanted share the love he carries in his heart, which can be heard in Green by Clicking Here.