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Photo by Natalie Chen

With the current state of the internet, it’s safe to say analog is coming back in style, with artists like Laila Smith leading the charge. In her new single, “Diorama," this Americana artist explores the literal and figurative nature of being a figurine, a physical thing that someone can hold and mold to their liking. The track is intimate in every way, and serves as the perfect look into Laila’s unique perspective. 

“Diorama” starts with a simple strum, deliciously grainy and vintage-sounding. Described as “alternative americana for the platform apocalypse”, it lives up to its name immediately. You can hear the track turning on and the sound quality switch around 30 seconds in. Before the momentum picks up, Laila sings with impactful lethargy, “And if I can’t be your favorite / I’ll learn to be less important / I’m just a figurine.” The amount of times this track switches sonically could easily be too much, but it brings us listeners on a welcomed journey. It mirrors the sentiment of being malleable, wanting to fit an impossible aesthetic, ultimately reflecting upon your own willingness to change for someone else.

On the inspiration behind “Diorama," Laila shares, “Diorama was born out of a very confusing time in my life, a period of deep denial about the quiet collapse of my marriage. The song excavates the paradox of desire—we position ourselves as essential in someone's landscape…The greatest tragedy isn't just the objectification, but our complicity in it.” The track captures this depth of concept perfectly, from its quietly chaotic instrumentation to Laila’s gentle, heartbreaking vocal delivery. 

The single art is an essential part of the song’s brilliance, which shows Laila herself as a figurine inside a diorama. It’s personal, unique, and shows how much thought goes into her artistic offering. From jazz prodigy (Kennedy Center, Tokyo Blue Note) to Harvard undergrad and labor organizer, to experimental artist recognized by the NYT, Laila Smith contains multitudes. “Diorama” is only her second single, but it’s clear this prolific artist has a lot to offer musically and philosophically.