Based in the Yukon, Chinese-Canadian orchestral folk musician Erica Dee Mah brings a sound quite unlike anything else I’ve heard with her new EP.

By Graeme Smith

Feature photo by Erik Pinkerton

We’ve already had a taste of Paper Wealth on these pages. Earlier this year, I shared Erica’s single The Garden and was captivated by her unique mix of Eastern and Western folk traditions. Across her new EP, she performs on the guzheng, a traditional Chinese instrument which she hopes to make a staple of Canadian folk too.

It’s the perfect musical backdrop to the story of the EP which delves into the Chinese-Canadian cultural identity across generations, touching on topics such as the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act.

The EP opens with Paper Sons and we are instantly immersed in Erica’s unique brand of folk. Delicate plucked notes blend with contemplative strings, supporting her soft and expressive vocals delivering lyrics rich with poetry. As the track progresses, it varies between slow and thoughtful verses and lively, vibrant choruses.

Morning Chorus has a suitably stirring composition, reflecting those delicate moments at the start of the day. The aforementioned The Garden sits at the heart of the EP and brings to life the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden in Vancouver’s Chinatown through its textured, swelling arrangement and image-laden lyrics.

Wild Horse Creek / Horse Racing trots then canters in a piece that’s full of movement before the collection is completed by Crocuses, a heartfelt track where nature and emotion gently collide.

Thanks to The Garden, I was already enamoured with the music of Erica Dee Mah and this EP seals the deal. Each of its tracks is beautifully constructed, full of soul and rich with atmosphere. Erica puts so much of herself into her music and that’s what makes it so captivating. Her new EP is a must listen.

Paper Wealth is out now and you can check it out below.