Big Sound, Minimal Production
Eerie Wanda’s latest release, Pet Town, was written by Marina Tadic in a place of isolation, but recorded in a way that makes it sound and feel very hopeful. The album opens on the title track, and at first, it seems that it might fit the melancholy feeling of isolation, but quickly changes moods when Tadic starts singing. The start of the album feels like something Zooey Deschanel might have written and recorded for She & Him, but the catchiness makes it difficult to stop listening to.
The almost island-esque vibe continues on throughout the album on each track but is especially present in the track “Magnetic Woman.” If there were a definition of “easy listening,” it would be this song. The combination of her airy vocals and the chill instrumentals make for an overall calming track that could be played on a loop during an island getaway adventure.
The first track to really take on the melancholy feeling that would be expected of an album written in complete isolation is “Moon.” It pretty much stays true to what the rest of the album has offered listeners, but this time it feels a whole lot less hopeful. This is the type of track one listens to when they are working through something in their life and need some self-reflection. Overall, it is a beautiful track that makes a great addition to the album as a whole.
“Sleepy Eyes” does a great job of highlighting the minimal production used on the album with the use of snapping and other miscellaneous oddities. The beginning of the track comes off a bit raw and focuses on the vocal harmonies, which is the first time on the album that this is apparent, making it stand-out amongst others.
One of the best tracks on the album is “Truly,” which also wraps up the album. This track has a dreamy and whimsical feeling to it that is sure to transport the listener to a dreamland while they are listening to the track. The entire album possesses an overarching chill vibe to it, yet it somehow doesn’t get boring to listen to. This is more than likely due to the nature of the songwriting, as well as the approach to recording it.
Pet Town may only be the second release from Eerie Wanda, but it is definitely a work of art that is worth listening to and marinating on. Tadic has taken something that most would have turned into a dark piece of work and made it into something that could easily be the soundtrack to an upbeat, quirky indie film.
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