EVANORA:UNLIMITED
PERFECT ANSWER
INDEPENDENT
Evanora:Unlimited is Orion Sage Ohana, and this is their second album under the name Evanora:Unlimited. Quite frankly, there is a lot to unpack with this very talented artist (who also released music under the name Marjorie W.C. Sinclair) but let us focus on this album, Perfect Answer. Their first album, Lustful Expanse, certainly set the stage, and with Perfect Answer, Evanora:Unlimited raised the bar. With Perfect Answer they have produced an ambitious, unique and totally original album. It is very hard to put into words what one will hear when the album starts.
It is also near impossible to put this album in a category. There is just so much going on with this album, A LOT. It is quite relentless, to be honest. Evanora:Unlimited grabs the listener from the opening seconds of the record and does not let go. “No Country” is pure punk with so many layers, it is hard to describe what one is hearing. This leads to the heavy dance beat of “Fire & Ice” which is a heavy dance beat with some screamo thrown in, to make sure you are listening. Whereas “Sequoia Tide (feat. She Diamond), has a very distinct Joy Division vibe, until the vocals come in. But, be clear, this is an original song with a tip of the hat to Joy Division, as it is pure Evanora:Unlimited.
“Salt Water”, which is created to Evanora:Unlimited and Taraneh features some stellar guitaring from Heli Newton and an opening prayer from Ester. It comes together and forms a very unusual but brilliant song. “Saltwater wounds heal if you dive into the ocean”, they sing. “A heart’s hard to lose but it’s easy when it’s broken.” Great sentiments, and it is important to note that the lyrics were inspired by the mother of a friend, who had recently passed away. Here, these lyrics, set against the music, are not so jarring as forcing one to look at something that perhaps they would rather not. Very clever writing and production.
And the production of this album is one of the stars of the show. There are a lot of layers and a lot constantly going on, and it really takes a number of listens to begin to absorb it all. In some ways Perfect Answer assaults the listener, but not in a bad way. It merely demands, loudly, one’s attention and once it has that attention it delivers a very strong work of art.
Perfect Answer is quite different. Evanora:Unlimited is a remarkably talented artist who carves out their style, sound and fashion. Their videos are an absolute feast for the eyes and the music is challenging to the ear, but well worth the effort to listen. Perfect Answer is a great album. Well produced, well put together and perfectly delivered.
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