[Video version of this review HERE]
Singer-Songwriter Ora Cogan is a musical explorer, and a fearless one at that. But her sense of adventure is not one of selfish ambition. She's seems to be a purposeful observer- a reporter intent on sharing the musical truths she is uncovering while being the transparent object through which it is expressed.
Listening to Ora Cogan's new EP Dyed is like crawling into a warm and cozy luminescent cocoon. The songs are both familiar and strange, textural, sublime.
Her singing is endearing: fragile and gentle, even with childlike chants in parts. The production is generously awash with balmy reverberations and echos. The song structures are at times traditional, at other times indecipherable. Overall she's a melodic composer, and the first track 'Dyed' has a chorus that is almost hooky.
She always has her electric guitar in hand- usually playing finger-styled patterns rather than block-strummed chords. Sometimes her riffs are almost like Indian ragas. If I'm correct, there are some acoustic guitar parts adding to the prettiness of the albums first track. The overall vibe is airy but often gently pinned down by a lightly played drum kit.
With news of a new EP, I was excited because her music is always beautiful, diverse and unpredictable. I bought her last album Bells in the Ruins on vinyl and have listened to many of her previous recordings on YouTube. I have not been disappointed by this latest release.
As far as categorization, her own bandcamp page describes it well: Alternative, drone, folk, psychedelic, shoe gaze, singer-songwriter. I would add that at times she has an earthy/ lo-fi vibe. I'd love to get my hands on the lyrics as I usually get lost in melodies and probably don't pay enough attention to specific context.
I'm aware Ora was present at the recent Fairy Creek blockade/protests as an independent journalist and photographer. She is currently touring Europe promoting her music. Ora resides on Vancouver Island, BC Canada.
https://oracogan.bandcamp.com/album/dyed-ep
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