If there’s someone who owes her meteoric rise to YouTube, it’s Marié Digby. Her self-made videos of her own interpretations of mainstream pop songs have peppered computer screens across the globe, and this has aided her commercial success as a result.

Her covers include Maroon5’s “Make Me Wonder ” as well as Rihanna’s “Umbrella”, which she also included in her debut album, Unfold.

The Singer, Songwriter, Instrumentalist

But it hasn’t just been the online medium that has been kind to her. Blessed with a myriad of musical talents, 25-year-old Marié Christina Digby not only wrote 12 out of 13 songs on her debut album, but is also adept in the piano and both the electric and acoustic guitars.

Before she was noticed on YouTube, the gifted singer was already signed on to Hollywood Records and had much performing experience, as she sang at numerous nightclubs before. However, even with a recording contract, Digby couldn’t advance her music career “without the support that [she] needed”, as she was quoted saying in her interview with MTV Buzzworthy .

Out of desperation, Digby turned to YouTube. This caused much controversy because it seemed as if she was appealing to people’s support by marketing herself as an amateur. She, however, fought this allegation by stating that it was her decision to use YouTube to increase visibility. She also said that she never denied or hid the fact that she was signed onto Hollywood Records.

A Closer Listen

Having heard Marié Digby’s exceptional singing talent on YouTube, UrbanWire was excited to hear the studio versions of her original acoustic songs in her album Unfold.

The album kickstarted with “Fool”, a strong upbeat number with the guitar as the main instrument. She does sound like Michelle Branch here, with a tinge of Avril Lavignesque rock.

Several tracks like “Girlfriend” and “Traffic” , “Voice On The Radio” , “Beauty In Walking Away” had similar execution, mostly because the piano was used as the lead instrument. These piano tunes kept UrbanWire listening attentively.

“Miss Invisible” and “Spell” , both equally haunting songs, proved to be pleasant ear candy.

In the former, she could almost be labelled the next Delta Goodrem, another singer-songwriter who’s extremely deft in love ballads. She possessed Goodrem’s strong vocal delivery and the kind of honesty that comes through her music. The beautiful lyrics of this song – “There’s a girl who sits under the bleachers just another day eating alone. And though she smiles, there is something just hiding.” spoke of a girl who felt unnoticed.

Digby ends this song by singing, “And one day just the same as the last just the days been in counting the time, came a boy that sat under the bleachers just a little bit further behind,” giving listeners a promise of happily-ever-after and a warm fuzzy feeling.

Her hit single “Say It Again” is catchy and perfect for couples in love. Digby sings, ”And it feels like it’s the first time that anybody’s ever brought the sun without the rain. And never in my whole life have I heard words as beautiful as when you say my name.” portraying the affection between lovers. She also included an acoustic version of the song as a bonus track.

The acoustic tracks are exclusive to all Asian listeners as Digby only included the 5 bonus acoustic tracks in her Asian edition of the album. The other 4 include “Better Off Alone” , “Stupid For You” , “Paint Me In Your Sunshine” , and “Umbrella” . This proved to be a delight because this means that there is no longer the need to log on YouTube to listen to those fantastic acoustic numbers!

Digby’s cover of the famous, played-to-death Rihanna’s single ‘Umbrella’ is one such example. Her voice carries the words easily and doesn’t need to hard sell the sex that Rihanna’s version did. By singing in such a refreshing manner, Digby’s cover for “Umbrella” shook off Rihanna’s shadows, resulting in a song that’s truly hers.

More than YouTube worthy?

UrbanWire was a sucker for all the acoustic numbers on the album. In a case of less is more, the studio ones seem to have unnecessary percussion that only distracts listeners from the beauty of Digby’s voice.

Having said that, the full versions of her studio recordings in the album did satisfy UrbanWire’s longing for more. With this, we say that her million hits on her YouTube site aren’t just a bluff – Marié Digby’s really got something. If you don’t believe us, just buy her album and listen to her for yourself.

UrbanWire gives Unfold 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Unfold is available in all good record stores, such as HMV, at $19.90.