The album's opening track, "Radical Love," begins with some catchy guitar work, and soon Danielle Nicole comes in on vocals, delivering a strong, passionate performance. "This ain't no ordinary/It's extraordinary/Coming from all directions." And then a heavy, funky rhythm takes over, and the song grows from there. "Radical love/That's what's gonna save us/Radical love/The only weapon that we need." Yes, love is the answer. It seems everyone knows that, so it's a mystery to me why people are still so horrible to each other. This song is a glorious, funky, positive force, with some cool stuff on keys, and it features some strong work on guitar in the second half. "Radical Love" was written by Jodi Siegel and Jeff Silbar. "Radical love/Triumph over hatred." Then guitarist Luther Dickinson joins Danielle Nicole on "Take Me Back," and here we also get a great, heavy funky blues vibe, the song moving at a steady pace. "Kind of town you wish that you could leave and not look back." And we can feel it, in that rhythm, and in her delivery. This song was written by Brandon Miller and Danielle Nicole Schnebelen. When Danielle Nicole sings, "I swear I feel the tingle of that breeze upon my skin," the work on piano reflects that tingling sensation, a nice moment. This track also contains some excellent stuff on guitar. "All right, Luther, take us back," Danielle Nicole encourages Luther Dickinson at one point approximately halfway through. And he delivers. I also love all the little touches Danielle Nicole seems to spontaneously add, as when she exclaims, "Right now, baby." And the band gets a chance to jam a bit at the end.
Danielle Nicole slows things down then with "Memories," delivering an intimate and beautiful vocal performance. "Why has love got to be such a funny thing?" she asks once that delicious classic vibe is established. "I don't want to be/Just a memory/One you regret/Spend your whole life trying to forget." This track features some really nice work on keys. And partway through, Danielle Nicole begins to belt out the lyrics, and is captivating. This track just gets better and better, and is one of my personal favorites. She returns to those lyrics about not wanting to be a memory, and now there is a great passion to her delivery, an ache she can barely contain. Wow! This one was written by Brandon Miller, Jim Pugh and Danielle Nicole Schnebelen. That's followed by "Soulside," which has a pleasant, soulful vibe and rhythm, fitting for the song's subject. "Pain has a way/Of making you feel out of place/No matter where you go/You're missing something in your life." Danielle Nicole delivers another appealing vocal performance. "It ain't been easy/But I'm finding my way," she sings, and we are all right with her. "But I know there's a place where everyone can be just who they are."
As "Gaslight" begins, Danielle Nicole's voice is supported by just drums, a very cool way of starting the song. "Got me going round and round/'Til I don't know which way is up or down." And then the rest of the band comes in. The song features a delicious groove. I especially love the bass line. Plus, the backing vocals add a fun element. "Question everything you said." Then in "Piper" there is another great combination of blues and funk. "Said there ain't nothing wrong with a little bit of sin/'Cause it's a cutthroat game and I know you want to win." This is a song full of attitude, with some nice touches on keys. The idea of people having to pay the piper is appealing, of course, like the idea of karma. I don't believe in the inevitability of such things. Bad people often get away with terrible things, with no consequences, taking no responsibility. You might have heard the story of a rapist and conman who was found guilty of thirty-four felony counts and not only escaped a prison sentence but became the president of this country. There is no paying the piper, there is no justice. But there is great music.
"The Same Love That Made Me Laugh" begins with a delicious bass line and promises something special. And indeed, this song is something special. It was written by Bill Withers, the first of two Bill Withers songs Danielle Nicole covers on this album. This is an excellent rendition. "Well now, why must the same love that made me laugh make me cry." She goes back to original material with "Chameleon," which has a mellower, easygoing, soulful sound and vibe, and features a wonderful, captivating vocal performance. "But that look in his eye/Predator to prey/When you realized/It's far too late." Then "Tug Of War" has more of a fun vibe, and a classic sound. "So here we go again/You want me to pretend/You didn't say the words/That we both know you said." Danielle Nicole is having a good time with this one, getting a little loose, and also digging in at moments vocally. This track also contains some nice backing vocal work. And I love the way the keys help create the tone. It's an empowering and fun number.
The second Bill Withers song that Danielle Nicole has chosen to cover here is "Dreams," which he included on his 1976 record Naked & Warm. As with "The Same Love That Made Me Laugh," this one has a delicious bass line. It also features some good guitar work. The album concludes with its title track, "Fireflies," another song with a classic and incredibly appealing sound. "Hello, sweet surrender/Every melody/You hold dear." This is another of the disc's highlights. There is a great passion in her voice, even before she begins to belt out certain lines. The track contains nice work on keys too, especially in the second half. This is a strong ending to a remarkable album.
CD Track List
- Radical Love
- Take Me Back
- Memories
- Soulside
- Gaslight
- Piper
- The Same Love That Made Me Laugh
- Chameleon
- Tug Of War
- Dreams
- Fireflies
Fireflies is scheduled to be released on August 28, 2026 on Forty Below Records.
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