ZOE CURE
Wave
On first glance at both the title and the cover, one might imagine that this would be an album of experimental electronica along the lines of Delia Derbyshire or Daphne Oram. However, whilst the contents are in their own way both exploratory, innovative and then significantly more lyrical, it is a different type of interesting altogether. The debut album from the Leeds based singer songwriter offers quiet beauty as it explores elements of human experience and their relationship with the natural world, through songs that are vocally intimate, lyrically interesting and engaging, with the musical accompaniment featuring her own finely detailed fingerpicking guitar.
This is not an album of punch the air anthems, its strength lies in encouraging listening, an emotional reflection drawing listeners in, offering depth without appearing to become self-revelatory or engrossed.
The poetic nature of the songs is beautifully supported, not only by the previously mentioned guitar, but the tasteful use of both acoustic and digital instrumentation, sparingly used to add emotional texture.
The movement suggested by the album’s title is reflected in the use of natural imagery as a mirror to experience and given the delicate nature of the subject matter, the vocal delivery and the instrumental accompaniment, credit should also be given for the production that allows the diverse elements their own space to shine, yet to also exist as a cohesive and satisfying whole.
As a debut album, Wave does have an assurance and a confidence about it to suggest an artist with a developed artistic identity, willing to share experience, observation and interpretation in a manner that invites both recognition and understanding on the part of the listener.
Watch this space for further developments, we will be doing the same.
Wave