Dia Frampton, the vocalist of this creative duo, hails from a long career of music making. She started with her sister in a well known indie rock band, Meg & Dia. Afterwards, she found herself as the runner up on the first season of The Voice before releasing her own solo album. Today’s artist feature will focus on her most recent collaboration with film composer, Joe Trapanese. You can hear some of his work in the latest dystopia films like Part One of The Hunger Games: Mocking Jay and Insurgent.

If you have a love for cinematic scores, then Archis will not disappoint you. Frampton has no problem taking the backseat to a full orchestra, led by Trapanese. Archis’ self-titled album starts with a full minute of just the orchestra before Frampton makes an appearance with her haunting, yet soothing, vocals. It’s a risk that can potentially bore other listeners, but it’s captivating tones and melodies have undoubtedly paid off.

For those who know of Dia Frampton’s previous discography, Archis will be a new role for the singer. She has certainly come a long way from writing songs based on fictional characters with her sister. Instead, her new partner in crime has enabled her to capture the darker and more menacing sides of life that she may not have been ready to face before this project.

Archis starts off bold and unapologetic in its content with tracks titled “Blood” and “Black Eye.” Even the lyrics are far more violent, stating “let’s go for blood.”  It’s hard to imagine sweet and timid Dia Frampton from The Voice throwing punches, but she accurately paints herself as a strong woman who can hold her own in a fight whenever her friends are in need. Perhaps the strongest moment of the album is in the bridge of “Black Eye.” The build of her vocals and the mishmash of orchestral instruments all peak together in one beautiful and intimidating scene to be sure neither Trapanese or Frampton will ever be questioned or messed with again.

The clip below is more than enough to prove that Dia Frampton has certainly had her fair share of trials in the music industry, but she is not one to ever give up on what she loves. It also features her well known sister, Meg, on the guitar.

In the following tracks of Archis, the violent imagery come to slow. In “Bittersweet,” Frampton returns to a more familiar style as she croons about redeeming herself and washing her hands “’til the river runs clear.” She even recaptures her more vulnerable side in the tracks “I Need You” and “Good Love Lingers On.” The latter is a vivid visual of what true and lasting commitment is. She sings of the person that eternity is carved out of and gives hope to her listeners that this type of love is indeed possible.

In the closing track of the album, “Let Me Love,” Frampton once again touches on a more aggressive tone. The brassy horns and intimidating snares that introduce the song set up the listener for preparation on the battlefield. With Trapanese composing orchestral scores, the vision is all to clear as Frampton demands that she be able to unapologetically be who she is and strive after what she wants, compromising to no one or thing.

The duo has yet to release a follow up album, and I hope it comes soon. They were originally scheduled to release it in 2016, but due to scheduling conflicts, Dia Frampton opted to release another solo-album in the meantime. While waiting, you can download their Amazon exclusive holiday track. Of course, you can also check out Dia Frampton’s originals or the stuff she did with her sister in Meg & Dia.

xxRose