There's an enamoring display of vulnerability when it comes to EWAH's Souvenir. There's a breath of fresh air with the candid songwriting and unbound instrumentation, projecting a velvety and immersive atmosphere that drew us in— while the tender voice from the indie act got us latched onto the LP. There's much to unpack from this album!
EWAH made a promising debut in the 2000s with her expansive debut album "This is Remorse," which is wholeheartedly devoted to experimentation and unpredictability, casting a variety that includes dusty and jangle-heavy lo-fi rock to stripped-down Country tunes. Not long after, "Light & Sirens" came out with a similarly inspired lineup of tracks, nevertheless tuned to alternative rock and folk. Alongside such efforts, the Australian songstress has made an impact in the scene with her band "EWAH & The Visions of Paradise," a quartet that has garnered noteworthy success with a diverse discography tapping into post-punk and alternative rock, gaining thousands of listens in the process.
A multi-faced creator, the Tasmanian singer-songwriter has taken the stage at various festivals such as Melbourne Fringe Festival and BIGSOUND, while being supported by reputed media outlets like BBC Radio and KCRW. Her extensive resume also comprises co-directing and producing the award-winning and internationally acclaimed film "Finding Paradise."
"Souvenir" is deeply personal, and that's not surprising after knowing the backstory involved: After years in the making and the culmination of various demos, the included tracks are an outcome of what many artists face on a regular basis: insecurities and perfectionism. In the opening track "Walking on Water," the instrumental is beautifully minimal with clicking, playful percussion transitioning into an alt-rock chorus with grungy guitars and acoustic drums. EWAH's mellow and intimate presence expresses drowning in inner-angst yet finding her daughter as a beacon of hope (That I haven’t learnt to walk quite yet//Looking out over the water//That I’m running out of time//Holding onto my daughter").
In the lead track "Touch The Light," a marching bassline paces with the gently self-reassuring vocals ("And when the feeling is right//You’re gonna find your way home"), as the swirling and shoegaze-y guitars turn the ensemble bittersweet. Not inclined to any specific style, "Mountain Song" initiates as a chiming acoustic tune, ramping up slowly toward a rhythmic peak with the gradually heightening drums.
Other notable inclusions are "Under Fog and Snow," which sources its inspiration from the 90s alt-rock era with the twangy and hypnagogic guitars, and is further made lofty by the sublime synth pad in the backdrop. The 80s style synths exude warmth and radiance in "Let Love In" as the vocalist gets dreamy-eyed, the rendition a touch whispery and entirely transfixing.
Stream "Souvenir" on Spotify and Bandcamp, and stay tuned with EWAH and her upcoming endeavors on Instagram.
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