The anticipation of this album release has been very real for me for more than a year now. I was so excited to listen to this back in 2020, and for obvious reasons it got postponed, and I was left with only the “If” music video to scratch my Diana itch. I did not set any expectations for this production as I am not familiar with David Bryan’s works: Memphis, Toxic Avenger.

First I’d like to note that we’ve finally arrived to new Original Broadway Cast Recordings, and my heart couldn’t be happier. Despite my distaste for a few tracks, I think this is a lovely album overall. It’s a challenge to make a musical biography not look like a parody. Diana is painted in a good light, despite the shortcomings of the score.

But! The album is not great in some moments. Here are some low points for me:

As I Love You – Te Amo? Te quiero? – his song makes me very uncomfortable, which might be the emotion they’re trying to evoke(?), but man, it’s a rough listen. It’s 2 minutes of cringe that is hard for me to sit through. The keyboard synth and her voice breaks and the lack of melody. It’s all terrible.

I Will – This song falls flat from square one. The lyrics do not help save this melody. The first verses are fine enough, but then… “I will make him love me” with the MARACAS oh gosh it’s terrible. The lyrics and melody “I will… I will… I will…” is not interesting or unpredictable. The bridge builds a bit of intrigue. Then the chorus enters. “I will… I will…” It builds a bit, softens, many extra syllables are thrown in until the very end. I’m left not wanting more after the very last:

IIIIIIIIII WIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLL.

The Dress – My biggest complaint is the percussion section only drums on the down beat 1-2-1-2-1-2-1-2 and then there’s this higher pitched “fuckity-fuckity-fuckity.” This song is a mess to listen to.

Officer’s Wife – Again with the percussion. It’s so boring. Like, I get it, it’s regal, but the whooole song… The chorus swings in near the end of the song to try to save it but fails to do so.

Snap Click – Chess did this better with Press Conference. Worth pointing out the delicious percussion section around 2:45:

versus:

Not to worry! The album has plenty of highlights:

World Fell In Love – An exciting song, big horns, big choral bits. Pretty good representation of what Bryan’s score sounds like.

Pretty Pretty Girl – Great melody. This song stands out to me.
Hidden gem is the 40 sec Pretty Pretty Girl reprise before Words Came Pouring… and speaking of…

Words Came Pouring Out – Fun track. Decent follow up to Pretty Girl, which I consider a major highlight of this album. The tune is catchy when you are listening, but it doesn’t stick for very long. Not bad though and the chorus does a great job in this number.

Him and Her / Just Dance – What a beautiful track. I think the lyrics are super corny and not very creative in the first half of this track. But it’s such a lovely melody. If you can hold out through the first couple minutes, this song flourishes into a gorgeous quartet(?)+chorus. Bryan transitions every 30 seconds with key change but each time this happens another harmony is added when the chorus joins. But when Just Dance… starts, I can’t help but close my eyes and sway back and forth with my arms extended like a hippy at a festival. The Just Dance part has plenty of key changes, it’s a bit impressive how often he does this. Laurence O’Keefe is revoked of his how-many-key-changes-you-can-fit-in-a-song crown. This is one of my favorite tracks.

The Main Event – What a great ensemble number. Reminds me of a poppier version of certain songs from Chess. With the call and response with the press, etc. Near the end, I will be honest, of the song I just got up and started dancing.

If – At the end we are met with If (Light of the World.) The song ends abruptly and loudly and is followed by a quick outro that is a bit lackluster and short. But the song itself is fantastic.

I’ve listened to it thrice, and I enjoyed enough to guarantee that I’ll listen to it again soon. Diana is certainly original score. In a changing theater market, Diana is one of the first new original productions to test the post-covid audience. It will be interesting how the Netflix special and the re-opening on Broadway will fair for the show. We will see soon!

I remember the day she died. I know she loved the theater and in another dimension where Diana is alive, she would likely appreciate Jeanna De Waal’s graceful portrayal of her.




Edit: After many, many more listens, I can confirm that my favorite tracks are: Him and Her/Just Dance, Main Event, Words Came Pouring Out(!). Runners up are Pretty Girl, If. Also, the fact that this music reminds me of Chess is a compliment to the shows dedication to 1980 UK vibes.