The EP is another quietly revelatory collection from a gem of the London scene.
Photo: Marco Pini | Words: Fil Pollara
There is something refreshingly progressive in the eerie exultations of heka's new record, 'Swan Songs'.
This is the third EP under the heka moniker for singer-songwriter Francesca Brierley, out now via Practise Music, and track-by-track, 'Swan Songs' embodies a near-perfect symbiosis of maturing songcraft and lo-fi infusion.
heka's work has always sported an array of experimental folk - complete with haunting vocal arrangements. But the way in which 'Swan Songs' brings all these elements together into such an invigorating and thoughtful listening experience, shows how far Brierley has come since she turned heads on the Slow Dance compilation series.
The unpredictable transitions, nowhere better demonstrated than in 'monkey', bind tightly to the heka playbook of warm, dialled back guitar tones and pensive keyboard notes. A profound sense of suspense pervades the empty corridors of one's mind with 'I'm the thorn', which remains a standout track. 'April (away) sees a foray into spoken word and that's an area which heka could easily explore further, facilitating a meeting of vocal harmonies and percussion like no other.
Records are for all seasons. But when falling leaves dutifully augur the return of shortening days at this time of year, my word do they chime perfectly with the existential questions and intrigue posed in this latest body of work. Up next on the live circuit for Brierley is a 19th October headline at the iconic Avalon café in Bermondsey - a perfect setting for lo-fi hypnosis.
No comments:
Post a Comment