14. November 2025
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Media Review

DanaMaria – Starstruck

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

DanaMaria - Starstruck

DanaMaria - Starstruck
4

Rating

 4.0/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Beautiful, personal storytelling
  • Versatile songs
  • Characteristic sound

Flyctory.com Cons

  • Some arrangements could have a stronger punch

It’s almost exactly five years ago since the German artist DanaMaria released her debut album Desert Diamond. Also on the single release side, there was not too much activity – until this year. The reason: on 10th October 2025, she is sharing her sophomore record, Starstruck. I really looked forward to that one and am happy to share my thoughts with you.

 

DanaMaria – About The Artist

DanaMaria calls her style of country music Space Country Cowboy Style. She was born and raised in Frankfurt. However, there are also stronger family connection to the USA, so that she was already exposed to Austin in early years. In 2020, I had a Spotlight interview with her, where we talk a bit more about that. In 2018, she released her debut EP Light Up Your Light. In October 2020, she released Desert Diamond.

 

DanaMaria – Starstruck – Track by Track

The twelve song album lasts 46 minutes.

1. Starstruck

The first two songs of the album, starting with the title one, have been released beforehand. DanaMaria’s voice feels a bit too thin to me in the first stanza. The longer you listen to Starstruck, the more relatable the song feels to be. I feel that the song itself is a good write. I am not sure whether a more energetic arrangement wouldn’t have worked out better.

2. Slow Road (feat. L’eupe)

Slow Road is one of the songs, which have been recorded with a guest musician. I was especially curious about this one whether L’eupe (who is German and not French) is rather known for lo-fi beat sounds. Again, I enjoy listening to DanaMaria, but struggle with the setting. The instrumental parts are a bit too present to avoid distracting from the fine vocals by the Frankfurt lady in here. Thereby, the song could have the beauty of a Kacey Musgraves recording.

3. Midnight On Broadway

Dana Maria’s voice, a guitar and some drumming – that’s how Dana Maria is opening the block of so-far unreleased songs. The song feels overall more rhythmic and thus pop-ish. The leverage of melodic and vocal elements is better in here. The chorus has a very unique touch, but stays in your mind. Together with a steadily increasing energy level, I really like this one.

4. Wild Woman’s World (feat. Romie)

The fourth song of the album is a collaboration with the German indie-folk duo Romie. The multi-vocal style leads to a nice width, the dreaming touch of the song feels to be a great fit to DanaMaria and her guest musicians. Despite the rather fine sound of the chorus, the track also has a darker passage. I really like this one.

5. Dead End

Dead End comes with one of the nicest choruses of this album. It comes with a nice vocal performance as well as lovely storytelling by the German artist. Just when you start reflecting whether the stanzas could have a stronger punch, the chorus is giving yu a verys

6. Lovebirds

Sometimes you need to breathe,
And Sometimes it’s hard to see
And sometimes everything turns out so well
How it should be.

With 4:42 minutes, Lovebirds is the longest song on Starstruck. The track is a core track of the album to me. I also love the dramatic plot of the song, which makes you listen to the song – and enjoy it. A really nice one.

7. To Be Continued

Already the first chords tell you: To Be Continued come with a darker, more rocking style. The chorus is a nice, modern one with a good flow. Overall, the slight influences from blues and other Americana genres lead to a nice match.

8. Roadrunner

DanaMaria takes time to tell her stories. Even Roadrunner, which is the shortest song on Starstruck, is 3:13 minutes long. The song comes with some blues-rock vibes, without diverting from her country music style. One of the best songs of the album to me.

You gotta call me a roadrunner,
Starting to believe
And you keep running.
And the stories lie right in front of the open eye on the street,
So call me
A roadrunner.

9. Sequin Spirit

Sequin Spirit is a nice modern country track with pop vibes and a good flow. I overall really like it, even though the song is rather a hidden gem in the context of the album. The middle part adds some power and energy to the listen.

10. Mountain Hut Stay

In the tenth song, the German country lady is taking us to a Mountain Hut Stay. The banjo adds a nice, rather present flavor here. The core is the chorus. I need a mountain hut stay, take me away is the brief, but clear message of that part of the song. Or That’s when I get carried away and take a break from all the weight, as she states later in the song. Nice one.

11. Home Stretch

The Space Country Cowboy Style I mentioned in the introduction is met quite clearly in Home Stretch. The song is another personal reflection, which still has a very gentle, almost dreaming character. While listening to this song, you feel very close to the artist. And that’s why I like listening to this song.

12. Backwards

Starstruck closes with Backwards. Right in the first verses, DanaMaria states Just because you’re going back doesn’t mean you take a step back. A strong, personal message is closing the record.

 

DanaMaria – Starstruck – Spotify

Here is Starstruck on Spotify:

 

DanaMaria – Starstruck – My View

I did have some struggle while listening to Desert Diamond – and I just cannot deny that feeling while listening to Starstruck as well. There are so many good elements in these album. It is versatile, comes with well-told, personal stories. But it still feels a bit like a mountain hike, where you could easily reach the summit – but turn around and go back down too early. Five years after her debut, I still pray that DanaMaria dares to go for the full climb next time. Nonetheless, it is a really nice album.

Favorite Song: Roadrunner

 

German Women Country Music

Here are all my postings related to female country artists and Germany:

 

USA Travel Contents (2025)

Here are all my travel-related postings about the USA published in 2025:

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