From the misty edges of Slovenia’s literary heartland comes Ditka, a singer-songwriter who has spent years turning the verses of poets like Feri Lainšček into folk-tinged anthems that hum with quiet rebellion. Now, with “Fly Higher”—the lead single and title track from her upcoming English-language debut album coming in November—she’s trading the intimate glow of Slovenian stages for something bolder. Clocking in at a crisp 3:31, this isn’t just a bridge across borders; it’s a manifesto for the restless soul, wrapped in arrangements that nod to fireside folk and raw acoustic fire.
Official Video for “Fly Higher” by Ditka
Right from the opening strum—a clean, fingerpicked acoustic that blooms into subtle percussion —Ditka’s voice cuts through with a clarity that’s equal parts confessional whisper and defiant shout. She sings over a building swell of harmonies and light strings, her Slovenian lilt adding an exotic warmth to lyrics that pulse with universal ache. Arranged by longtime collaborator Jan Lužnik, the track layers in just enough uplift—a gentle brass flicker in the bridge, a choir-like echo on the chorus hook and its earworm styling. All this captured in a production that’s warm and lived-in. There’s no overproduction here; just space for her guitar to breathe and her voice to carry the weight, evoking those rare singles that feel like a hand on your shoulder, urging you to keep pushing forward.
What sets “Fly Higher” apart in Ditka’s catalog isn’t just the language switch—though hearing her poetic precision in English feels like unlocking a hidden track—but instead the way it distills her evolution. According to Ditka herself, the song is “a call to step out of your comfort zone, to listen to your heart even when the path is uncertain.”
For her first step into the spotlight as songwriter in English, Ditka shows that there is plenty of talent ready to be shared with the world. Heartfelt emotions transferred into song. The track is honest, well-crafted, and quietly ambitious. There is a sense that this song hints at something bigger on the horizon for the talented artist.
