Toronto-based musician Wrené is someone that we’ve featured here before, so I jumped at the chance to review her new EP, Transmuting Darkness. Wrené’s music is extremely experimental at times, so it won’t be for everyone, but those that choose to engage should find something to enjoy here.
By Jane Howkins
Opener Transmuting Darkness opens with the sound of a heart beating, as slight backing effects appear to create an eerie atmosphere. The music builds up higher and higher, raising the palpable tension until it’s almost unbearable. It’s a testament to this artist’s skills that she’s managed to create something so ambient with just a few choice sounds. There’s nothing remotely poppy here, but that’s good enough for me!
Starlight has a mystical quality, making for something that sounds entirely majestic. It’s a longer track, featuring several electronic drum beats performing in a tribal manner in the background, as the dark synths soar. More and more electronic elements are added, until the track drops out in the middle, before rising up again. This was one of my favourite tracks on the entire EP!
The Wormhole features a whole host of alien sounds played out in the background, suiting the title of the track well. Melodic bursts of synths crash around the listener, sounding almost anthemic at times. The bassline is eerie, colliding with the synths to create a cool textural quality. The drums build up, becoming heavier and heavier as the song progresses.
Nebula continues the space themes, which is very apt considering the atmosphere of the music on offer here. It’s got a really otherworldly feel, also sounding much more positive than the previous tracks, making for a wonderful change of pace. The dynamics change over the course of the song, with so many synth melodies available to the ear that you’ll need to listen to it several times over.
Wrené’s music won’t be for everyone, but those with a more experimental ear should find much to love on Transmuting Darkness. It’s a really interesting EP, and one that shows some fantastic songwriting skills.
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