With all the doom and gloom in the news, on the Internet and on social media, it’s hard to spot the rays of light that still exist. Reality Distortion’s new single Renaissance is one that shines brightly.
By Graeme Smith
Renaissance was played for members of the UN as part of World Water Day activities and forms part of Reality Distortion’s upcoming debut EP, Ceasefire. A theme runs through their work of identifying how community, artistic expression, and hope can overcome conflict.
Opening with a gentle and reflective acoustic guitar riff, twin vocals soon come in, providing a harmonious start to proceedings. The lyrics are richly defiant as the hopeful message comes through. A percussive beat and whispers of strings give things a cinematic edge as the track slowly builds in confidence.
The crescendo arrives inevitably, worth the simmering wait as a choral moment of overlapping voices stirs. Finally, we arrive back where we started, subtly changed.
Singers contributed to Renaissance from around the world including Colombia, India, Mexico, Hawaii, and the US. Knowing this gives those last moments even more weight. These are voices symbolically and literally coming together.
They’re led by brother and sister duo Devon and Linnea who make up Reality Distortion.
“Art has always been integral to protest,” they say. “It inspires, it dissents, it connects. And it gives people a way to feel and express what they haven’t been able to put into words.”
It’s a crucial point and the single reminds us that protest doesn’t need to be loud, violent or in the streets. Social media in particular rewards the antagonistic and provocative but there is another way.
Protest can be quiet yet powerful, understatedly refuting the bombast of those who wish to divide the world with wars and synthetic differences. Through Renaissance, Reality Distortion has truly created something uniting, a piece of art that can be enjoyed by all. More importantly, it could stir listeners to take up the charge and do their bit for positive change.
It also shows their range. The duo are known principally for their dream pop and grunge persuasions, so the acoustic folk of Renaissance is a departure – an intriguing one that invites us to hear what else they’ve created.
If you want to find out more about Reality Distortion, you can by following them on Spotify, Instagram, and Soundcloud.
Renaissance is out now, and you can listen to it below.
Supported by Musosoup #SustainableCurator
