AMANDA BARISE, "Cute and Deadly"

Amanda Barise’s time on Season 23 of American Idol was the stuff musical dreams are made of. On her way to an impressive Top 14 finish, she earned jaw-dropping praise galore performance after performance from superstar judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan, earned the respect of mentor James Taylor (who scatted with her) and earned key encouragement from her “first crush” Josh Groban and Jelly Roll.

In addition to her funked up twist on “Defying Gravity” which lit up the Hawaiian Islands and prompted Richie to exclaim, “Drop the mic!,” she regaled the live audiences and millions of viewers at home with her power packed renditions of “Ain’t Nobody,” “If I Ain’t Got You,” Aretha Franklin’s “Ain’t Now Way” and Michael Jackson’s “I Can’t Help It.” Best of all, after years of struggling to make life work as completely DIY indie artist, to paraphrase a famous book, the Jersey bred, NYC based singer/songwriter got her groove – and more importantly, her confidence, back.

Despite the exposure and accolades they receive on the show, some high-placing Idol contestants and even winners struggle to create a sustainable musical identity afterwards. I’m thrilled to report that Amanda’s first post-Idol single, the cleverly titled “Cute and Deadly” showcases not only a vocalist that embodies but ultimately defies all the usual adjectives (amazing, extraordinary, magnificent, majestic, magical), but arrives as a fully formed artist ready to unleash her dual brilliance as a singer/songwriter (and way more than a mere pop singer) on the world. Penned by Amanda and co-produced with Grammy winning engineer Max Faigen, the song is an edgy, bold, brash, no holds barred showcase for not only that surreal voice, but perhaps more importantly, marks the launch of a fresh, spirited vibe she calls “alternative R&B/Soul.”  

Over a propulsive, thumping groove, Amanda reveals in no uncertain terms who she is right now – a “badass bitch,” and we better be prepared to deal with it because she’s all business. The verses are about how hard she works to make everything look easy and proudly affirms to all the naysayers who discouraged her dreams that she’s not only made it but may just be a part of their everyday lives. She lays it all out there, from admitting that “To everyone I’m just a little crazy” to declaring “I know it’s hard to fathom a badass bitch,” so “Don’t forget to tell me when you’ve had enough.” If self-belief and badassery was a song, it would be “Cute and Deadly.” Make no mistake, the girl is both!

The three-track Cute and Deadly EP, which drops shortly after the lead title single, includes the likewise autobiographical, emotionally hard-hitting gems “Girl Like Me” and “26.” In addition to sharing her jazzy scat sensibilities, “Girl Like Me” is a sultry, intoxicating slow jam that rolls as a provocative, confidence filled self-call to action. “26” is a dreamy, self-introspective ballad that shares the wisdom gained by her mid-20s.

Wise beyond her years (though she sings otherwise), her life embracing, live in the moment philosophy is, “I don’t wanna wake up and see my life/Looking back after I’ve crossed the finish line/I’ll just take a moment here to appreciate/How far I’ve come, that little girl, and the dream she made.” Followed by a chorus opener line we can all take to heart: “Life, it might pass you by in the stolen moments…”