Even before the sun comes up, Petra Jasmiina has us listening. Born in Finland but currently living in New York, the singer-songwriter, producer, and pop-folk storyteller is skilled at transforming imaginary places into emotional homes. Her music comes across as a small Nordic postcard sent from the heart, and “Dawn,” her latest release, might be her most sweetly composed image to date. Released today, September 25, the song was inspired by a sense of loneliness and the hope of achieving lasting love; she writes about a life that did not exist at the time the song was created, yet makes it seem wonderfully real.
“Dawn” starts beautifully and naturally, exactly how a good pop-folk song ought to. Birds singing, light acoustic arpeggios, and soft synths give the impression of a cool morning with everything moving slowly. Then there’s that pleasant scene, “You get up before the sun. I can hear the floors creak under your bare feet.” It’s intimate, simple, and cinematic in effect. There is nothing excessive in the way it’s produced; each sound has space to be heard, so that you feel as if you’ve quietly walked into this little house at dawn.
One of the main attractions of the song is Jasmiina’s way of singing; she sings with warmth instead of intensity, so that feelings such as tenderness, fear, and wonder come naturally into her voice. When she sings the lines “What if it’s all a fake, a hoax, a dream, exquisite lies,” it is clear how fragile the happiness appears to be. Her performance never has the impression of being too refined or detached; on the contrary, it shows the gentle vulnerability of someone who is afraid to open their eyes for fear that the dream will vanish. The repeated phrase “wake up” sounds less like an order and more like a quiet plea to remain in that moment. Jasmiina is an outstanding singer who boasts a beautiful voice. This composition is soothing and attracts attention quickly.
The song “Dawn” covers much more than just romance. It is about finally coming to imagine a life that one can feel safe in after having suffered so many disappointments. The beautiful details make this dream seem realistic since she says, “I don’t need chandeliers” because the small, old house is sufficient, and “I don’t need souvenirs” since love has made the world seem nearby. The tea, the rain, the winter windows, the habit of reading together, and the roof which is built so as to “see the trees through” turn ordinary everyday domestic situations into something magical. It is in this respect that Jasmiina’s escapist world-building proves especially effective: she makes happiness seem handcrafted. She also proves she’s a terrific songwriter.
By the end, the line “You let the dawn in” sounds like a love song and a gentle victory, and the way the song is arranged reinforces this impression with patience, retaining its folk essence while adding a mild pop touch that gives it a dreamy quality. The song doesn’t need to shout to make an impact; it just opens the curtains and lets the light in. Petra Jasmiina has made a sweet little world in which love exists in the floorboards, teacups, rain, trees, and sleepy smiles—and for a few minutes, hearing it feels like waking up in some beautiful place. Some songs have what it takes to get you addicted to them instantly, and “Dawn” is one of those fine compositions. It’s a song to soothe your soul and leave you wanting more.
Listen to “Dawn” on Spotify
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