There are only a few new artists as prolific and consistently impressive as Tina Dico (spelled Tina Dickow in her native Denmark). A Beginning, A Detour, An Open Ending is proof that a true artist does not have to fit in an album-project pattern to fulfill their artistic endeavor. This is not your run-of-the-mill album, it’s a trilogy of EP’s recorded at different times while Dico was promoting and touring for her Count To Ten album. 

Each EP has its own time, it’s own motif and dynamic. But, all of them fit the perfected Tina Dico mold of unrivaled lyric and wrap-around strummings. The first one, A Beginning, is very airy and acoustic. One can sense that Dico had these songs lying around from previous album sessions but could not bear having them stashed away. The eerie momentum of “Quarter To Forever” eclipses the sensitive nostalgia of “He Doesn’t Know,” where the lyrics by themselves serve as a poem of longing and grief.

Then the Zero 7 vocalist embarks on a more rigid, studio-based sound on A Detour. Here, the songs are more templated, like the astonishingly frank “No Time To Sleep” to the deep melancholy of city life on “London.” The standout track is “Glow” – a track so beautiful, it deserves a video. Another highlight is a track that shows Dico’s prowess as a storyteller  - “Friend In A Bar.”

Then she moves on to the future with An Open Ending. This EP showcases a new and formidable Dico, with tracks such as “A New Situation” and “Security Check.” Both of which show a rockier and edgier Dico. But, her signature heart-wrenching mellow is not forgotten with “Walls,” which serves a hymn for the lonely. The listener gets a further surprise titled “Magic” about a one-night stand and, essentially, escapism. 

Tina Dico is an artist like no other. Developing a loyal fanbase with every album and delivering songs that speak for a generation. This independent artist might not receive the kudos she deserves, but, then again, great art was never appreciated by the masses.