SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: ORA COGAN – DYED

Ora Cogan
DYED
Independent

Ora Cogan’s music is very difficult to fit into one genre. This is not a criticism, quite the opposite. Over her seven albums, Cogan has touched on several styles of music. And all of her genre leaping  is evident on her new EP, DYED. Moments of folk, celtic, Cocteau Twins and October Project flow in and out of Cogan’s music. Again, this occurs over three tracks on her new EP DYED.

The arrangements are sparse, and she leaves room in each song for every instrument and her voice. She creates lovely music that allows her voice to float in and add to the song. Her high vocals are perfect with each and every song. The melodies are not instantly accessible, but that does not matter because as soon as it is over, one wants to hear the EP all over again.

The EP opens with the title track “DYED”. A beautiful, almost sober piece that invites the listener into her world of sounds and music. It is an incredible way to open the EP and leads perfectly into the second song “To Bring You My Love”, which is the highlight of the EP. It is a blissful three and a half minutes that invokes Bob Dylan’s “To Make You Feel My Love” in feeling and emotion.  Of course, it sounds nothing like the Dylan track, but it has the same impact. Cogan’s vulnerable vocals combined with her sensitive guitar equals a brilliant song.

The EP ends with the ambient/rock song “Driver”. Cogan’s voice is almost buried by the guitar but it works. It creates an incredible atmosphere. One is not sure who is in the driver’s seat for the song, but whoever it is, is in full control. One gets the sense, Cogan is creating the sounds here and controlling our emotions, as she has since the first note of “DYED”. It is reminiscent of The Cocteau Twins but Cogan manages to put her own spin on things and thus, the song is very interesting. It is the perfect way to tend the all too short EP.

Cogan’s guitar playing is fantastic, and fits her music, but she does get help from David Proctor on Bass and JS on Drums. JS also helped out with production. What is very interesting is that these three musicians create an amazing, almost sweeping sound. They achieve a sound that a string quartet could make. However, they do it with minimal instrumentation and simply through very clever arrangements. It is one of the highlights of their sound. It is also a brilliant decision on their part. It would be very easy to over produce and excessive instrumentation for their sound.

DYED is a wonderful EP. Cogan has produced three beautiful and stirring tracks that breach several genres. DYED is the perfect music for those cool autumn evenings. It is the kind of music that invites somewhat inclement weather and the ability to warm oneself by the fire (or furnace, your choice). It really is wondrous music, and one only wishes it was an album, not merely an EP.

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