'Abyss' by NOLA

Abyss

by NOLA

Release date: 23rd October 2015

(Image credit: www.nolamusic.se)

Tracklist: Be Still My Heart / Revolution / Firestarter / Abyss //

After being uninspired by my music choices as of late and finally getting tired of the constant repetitions of the three albums I have been playing, I discovered Abyss. Abyss is the first EP release from NOLA.

I was drawn to it just from hearing the introduction of the first track, Be Still My Heart. The introduction of Be Still My Heart slowly introduces and develops the phrase that is repeated throughout the track, which begins distorted and slowly becomes clearer while NOLA brings the track into focus even further. Her voice has quite a unique tone that she challenges quite often with how you would commercially use it in standard pop music. Be Still My Heart is one of the tracks on the EP where it feels like she is experimenting more with her voice and pushes the boundaries further using interesting melodies and exploiting vocal techniques in ways other singers don't.

From first hearing Revolution, I immediately saw it as fitting within the standard structures of a pop song but there are lots of little elements that make it different, such as quick transitions between sections with rhythmic changes. Not only does NOLA exploit the use of her own voice but she incorporates interesting techniques and sounds for the backing singers with bright, staccato, and vivid dictation that contrast her own fluid vocal line as she sings lyrical lines that are not necessarily as bright as the key, "How can I trust you?" This is also evident in both Be Still My Heart and Firestarter. Firestarter feels like the most experimental track on the EP, where she explores the techniques and sonorities from the backing vocalists further, her use of electronicism, and the exploitation of her own voice. Throughout Abyss she explores more electronic elements in the arrangements and accompaniments of her vocals and the backing vocals. The concluding track of the EP is the title track, Abyss. It slowly drags you into the abyss of her music as it is introduced with this slow reverberated ostinato bass line that is then doubled by the guitar, gradually introducing the other instruments of the arrangement and new elements of the melodies. The track continually adds and takes away new and old elements and a favourite addition is when she layers two of her vocal lines slightly offset that creates this countering feel.

Abyss is well produced, and definitely exploits all of the right things within her music whilst keeping it simple - have a listen to see what you think below.