Anna Wild - EP Review: WOOL
WOOL is the first project from Wellington-based artist Anna Wild, and it comprises 3 ambient/electronic instrumental
tracks in conjunction with a 10 minute short film providing visual accompaniment. This visual EP was created to go hand-in-hand; while the music can certainly be absorbed on its own, it’s through the film (directed and animated by Taizan Yamada) that
the depth of meaning shines through.After being diagnosed with endometriosis, Wild set out to capture the sense of loss, confusion, and subsequent acceptance of medical conditions that can severely affect motherhood. All instruments were primarily performed by Wild herself, and her background in session drumming shines through with crisp percussive breaks and shimmering cymbals driving the poignant, meditative music. Piano, synths and haunting FX provide a warm bed of ambience throughout each track.
On opener Eyes, punchy analog percussion accompanies the visual of a young woman discovering a mirror in a forest through which she plunges and morphs into an animated world of abstract shapes. This is followed by Four, featuring a fuzzed out bass and suggestive imagery such as clocks, the blip of a heart-rate monitor, female reproductive organs, flowers, eyes, and outreached hands. As the action switches back to real life on Reflection, the woman tries to make sense of her diagnosis via interpretive dance; after being confronted with a baby pram, she flees down a remote beach, eventually settling to rest, seemingly making a temporary peace with her affliction.
While music videos are a common feature of new releases, WOOL belongs more in the realm of extended visual films that explore concepts across a whole EP or album: think PT Anderson’s work with Haim or Thom Yorke’s Anima. With instrumental music and the absence of lyrics it often falls on the listener to input meaning, and while Wild’s music certainly stands on its own, it’s of great benefit to ingest it alongside Yamada’s video work if you can. An intriguing release from a fledgling artist clearly confident and ready to share her talents with the world.
About Anna Wild
Growing up, Anna was part of Jazz, Concert and Brass bands playing drums and percussion. In recent years, her focus has shifted behind the drum kit, making her an incredibly multi-skilled performer. As a professional drummer, Anna Wild has performed, toured, and recorded with many other local musicians.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Anna Wild
Releases
Other Reviews By Gwarden
DeLaye - EP Review: Blankspace.
17 Nov 2021 // by Gwarden
20 year old producer DeLaye creates music that defies easy description. Inhabiting the experimental electronic space pioneered by the likes of Aphex Twin and championed by modern masters such as Flying Lotus and Four Tet, his music features fat glitch-hop bass kicks and chopped beats anchoring sonic explorations that ebb and flow with intent.
Read More...
Mac Summer - Single Review: Web of Life
16 Nov 2021 // by Gwarden
Mac Summer may be a brand new name to drum & bass fans, but this new alter ego comes from Malcolm Welsford, who has been involved in the NZ music scene for over 30 years, most famously as the man behind the legendary York Street Recording Studios. Having produced a range of guitar-based Kiwi bands from Shihad to Supergroove, he has perhaps surprisingly turned to electronic music production with this foray into the saturated drum & bass market.
Read More...
EM/FM - Album Review - Quixote
03 Nov 2021 // by Gwarden
Fitting snugly into the still-relatively underground retrowave sound (an umbrella term loosely used to describe the synthwave/vaporwave microgenres), EM/FM’s debut LP Quixote taps directly into the 80’s nostalgia vein and mines it for woozy pathos and dreamy yearning. Utilising many of the hallmarks of 80’s synth-heavy composers and movie soundtracks, from Phil Collins-esque reverbed drums, plucked bass twang, and all the analog synth tones you could dream of, it’s a fascinating re-composition of elements elevated to pastiche by focusing on real emotion and modern songwriting.
Read More...
Hotel Death Star - Single Review: The Daylight
10 Sep 2021 // by Gwarden
Hotel Death Star are a relatively new duo, finding life in 2020 when singer-songwriter Phil Stoodley collaborated with composer-producer Andreas Arianto to craft their interpretation of melodic deep-house blended with more traditional songwriting elements. Fans of electronic genres will find plenty to like here, but crossover appeal might be limited.
Read More...
Shapeshifter - Album Review: Rituals
17 Aug 2021 // by Gwarden
Shapeshifter (affectionately known as ‘Shapies’ by fans) are a New Zealand music institution. With over 2 decades of live shows, 4 EPs, 5 full-length studio albums, a handful of music awards and a reputation as the best live Drum & Bass act in the world, they’re both revered locally and ambassadors of the sound worldwide.
Read More...
Gig Review: Shapeshifter @ Christchurch Town Hall - 30/07/2021
02 Aug 2021 // by Gwarden
Back on the road after a few months of downtime, Shapeshifter return for a national tour in support of their seventh studio album Rituals. Kicking things off in their hometown Otautahi, the Christchurch Town Hall was host to another explosive, uplifting performance by one of NZs most treasured and traveled live acts.
Read More...
Truth - Album Review: Acceptance
23 Jul 2021 // by Gwarden
Low-tempo maestros Truth return to their Deep, Dark and Dangerous imprint with a long-player of sublime electronica. Billed as their most personal album to date, Acceptance captures the duo at their most introspective, a response to a world in crisis evoked as nostalgia-inducing reveries and cavernous meditations.
Read More...
Oakley Grenell - EP Review: Style Dem Ripe
18 Nov 2020 // by Gwarden
Oakley Grenell caps off 2020 with a wicked dancefloor-oriented EP showcasing a range of vocalists over bouncy, bass-fuelled tunes with a trademark reggae flair. A few years in the making, it’s another solid addition to an already impressive discography.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- APT.
ROSÉ And Bruno Mars - DIE WITH A SMILE
Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars - BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Billie Eilish - TASTE
Sabrina Carpenter - I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
Gracie Abrams - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - SAILOR SONG
Gigi Perez - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims - A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
Shaboozey - GOOD LUCK, BABE!
Chappell Roan
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
