by Dean Wolfe, Prog dog Media [album released August 22, 2023]
The very unique Ora Cogan's new album feels like it was recorded in secret and hidden places off the beaten and over-trodden paths of so much modern music- perhaps in an old cabin nestled in the British Columbian wilds. She thrives in her unhurried atmospheres of dreamy, gauzy melodies, occasionally urgent and summoning the listener into active engagement. At other times sweetly crooning you into a meditative state of relaxation.
There's many moments to be treasured on "Formless". It arrives steeped with both decipherable and indecipherable influences: some smokey country rock/Americana (almost Neil Young-ish), and some 80s pop rock (reminiscent of Andy Summers and The Police in some of the electric guitar work).
The soulful and rich 'Ways of Learning' is a heart-warming duet featuring Luz Elena Mendoza of Y La Bamba. The song at times lavishes you with gentle vocal harmonizations. JP Carter expands the palette with textured trumpet imprinted with echo, delay and distortion.
'Dyed' is a revisit with the same stand-out song released on her EP late in 2022. At first I wondered why redo it? But now I feel blessed to have both versions. It has been produced to be less ethereal and more rhythmically pronounced for the toe-tappers.
Prog dog score: "Formless" gets a tasty 4 1/2 out of 5 bones. It's varied but cohesive, adorned with Ora's trademark dreamy sweet vocals, a plethora of humble and interesting instrumentations and guest performances. It pulls back the curtain on Cogan's intimate and exotic (but grounded) world.
https://oracogan.bandcamp.com/album/formless
See my video version of this review on prog dog channel: (link T.B.A.)
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