Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Country: USA
Genre: Experimental
Full length: Sonohara
Format: Digital album
Label: Independent
Release date: December 27, 2024
Sonohara's latest effort is an eccentric mishmash of metalcore, alternative, goth, post-hardcore, new wave, electronica and ambient I appreciate immensely. From its gender-neutral vocals and tendency to make metal-oriented riffs robotic or atmospheric when needed, the effort put into redefining musical parameters and setting it apart is obvious.
Sarah Westervelt does more than blur lines; she erases them, making no distinctions between what inspires her. If she can successfully mix new wave, electronica and jazz, or write keyboard pieces that rival the "Exorcist" theme, as on her album "Shadows," she can find the intersection of almost any genre that piques her interest. After all, someone has to do it first.
Albums like "Nervous Wreck" and "Pleasantville" cross over genres to the point of their being indistinguishable, creating a completely new genre where none existed. This combination of organic and electronic instruments sets her work apart even more, defying categorization and leaving you to wonder what thoughts are running through her mind while she’s writing.
Collaborating with Irrenoid on mixing and mastering, Westervelt focused intently on seeing every influence was clear. The resulting sound doesn’t sound bigger than metalcore bands; it’s broader, capable of integrating all the instruments involved, with just enough distortion to be noticeable without being too gritty.
For example, the track "Kaori" starts with a vibe evoking vintage Mortiis, Vond, and Fata Morgana, while mixing metalcore, ambience and drum programming. Like most metalcore, the vocals shift between melodic and harsh, but the melodic vocals are presented with monotonic anguish as a counterbalance to the song’s electronic and atmospheric aspects.
The prolific lyrical content describes in detail the uncertainty and self-doubt people face throughout their mortal lives. She has no trouble with the impact of drama, conflict and betrayal on the human soul, confronting it rather than avoiding or denying it, and expressing how it can change us for the worse. It sounds more honest than empty lyrics about making the world a better place.
If you're interested, I recommend not only listening to this album but also exploring Sonohara's back catalogue, as each of Westervelt's recordings are examples of a desire on her part to play what she feels and to take completely different routes on each of her albums. She's one of the more spontaneous musicians and songwriters out there, and you never know what to expect from her next. –Dave Wolff
Lineup:
Sarah Westervelt: Vocals, programming, writing, production, mixing, mastering
Track list:
1. Sin
2. Alleviator
3. Control
4. Monster
5. Nothing But A Rage
6. Kaori
7. Fight Like Hell (feat. Haley Valentine)
8. Staring the End
9. Elevator
10. I Swear I'll Change
No comments:
Post a Comment