SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ORA COGAN – BELLS IN THE RUINS

Ora Cogan
Bells In The Ruins
Prism Tongue Records

Bells In The Ruins is Ora Cogan’s seventh album, and her first since 2017’s critically acclaimed Crickets. During those three years, it is obvious that she has been writing and developing her sound. The result is her strongest album yet. Bells In The Ruins is a solid album full of twists and turns that keep the listener glued to the album.

The album opens with “Sleeping”, which sounds like a tip of the hat to The Cocteau Twins. It certainly has the same feel and sparse production with dreamlike vocals. “Skull” kicks in with a fantastic backing track, not exactly dance, but certainly it moves the body. Cogan provides her vocals, which set against the music are beautiful and breathtaking. The album continues on in this pattern. Cogan’s vocals express and evoke emotion from beginning to end. Listen to “Kills” for an example of how she uses her vocals, not necessarily the lyrics she is singing, but rather her vocalizations. It all fits together.

The album ends with the heartbreaking “Crime”. Again, the sparse musical arrangements, exquisite guitar and her plaintive vocals wraps the album up nicely. It brings everything to a close. The album is not a concept album, but themes are present throughout, and Bells In The Ruins seems to be very personal. Cogan explores her relationships and her place in the world.

Cogan is a very talented musician. Her guitar work is extraordinary and fits the tone and vibe perfectly throughout. Co-producer David Parry also adds some very tasteful slide guitar. Reggie Bast deserves a great deal of credit for his synthesizer work throughout

Overall, a very welcome  from Cogan. She continues to grow, and to push herself to create very interesting and magnificent music. Bells In The Ruins is full of great songs, ones that are in a sense chapters that come together to form a complete project.

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