Though still young, Tel Aviv, Israel-based Or Cohen Accad has already done some living. At seventeen years old she won the musical reality show The Band Project and then worked as a singer in a military band. Outside of music, she’s also done some modelling. But it’s her R&B pop project ORCA that’s got her on my radar, and her debut album Better Now.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by Amit Selickter

ORCA came about in 2020 as a way for Or to find her voice as a girl alone in a big city. Although loneliness is a strong theme of Better Now, it’s an album of collaborations, not least co-writer and co-composer Ami Nir, producer Ofir Yogev, and Israeli singer, rapper and creator Ozel.

The album starts with a short Intro which sets the scene with a raw, ambient demo-like vocal and piano composition that quickly develops into something richer. The track blends seamlessly into the album’s title track where we get our first taste of its full production, and Or’s emotive and compelling voice.

Prayer showcases Or’s ’90s R&B influences, with a jazzy groove and heartfelt lyrics. Found A Lover is bright, breezy and laidback pop with soul. Just Say, on the other hand, is tense and moody, with an intriguing mix of electronic and organic instrumentals. It’s a highlight.

Game of Fire welcomes us into the album’s second half with sizzling cinematic pop. Million Hours strips things back with expressive piano and heart-rendering strings. Hang Low is Or’s collaboration with Ozel which gives us light and bouncy romance. Isn’t Enough closes the album with a cathartic classical pop climax.

With this album, ORCA has taken her ’90s and ’00s influences and repackaged them for the modern day, adding her own spin and voice to them. It’s an accomplished debut and you can’t help but fall in love with Or and her world a little while listening to it. It’s the perfect album for a lazy Sunday morning. You can check out the whole of Better Now below.