Having first crossed our path back in 2017, and with consistent new releases and projects ever since, Japanese electronic music creator Sienná has remained a name of artistic depth and appeal in every way.
This year sees the launch of a particularly intriguing and immersive new album, her 7th full studio release, and it’s perhaps the most intoxicating blend of conceptual and sonic escapism from the avant-garde experimental artist yet.
EMA is nine tracks in full, and begins with a an epic composition that’s somehow both delicate and intense.
Be A Seeker, Believer is electronic and exotic to begin with, later channelling a kind of eighties industrial groove and breathy vocal harmonies, as we’re plunged into an hypnotic arena of thoughts on interconnectedness and spirituality in the natural world.
The album aims to inspire, and this opening title, the uplifting ambiance and looping sentiments of the song, work beautifully to represent that goal. It’s motivational, provocative, calming, and brilliantly unique – qualities found throughout the carefully crafted originals of EMA.
As the album continues, retro and upbeat bassline and beat combinations let the experimental tones and layers reach new peaks of exhilaration.
Your Facts My Facts is stylish and fun, but also provocatively lyrical, spoken and sharp, unpredictable yet satisfying. It’s clever, quirky, comical, then stark, and it’s completely different to the opener, but still electronically grounded by the artistic range of Sienná’s East-meets-West stylistic aura. In many ways, the simplicity and the groove here, the retro minimalist repetition, makes this a personal highlight that’s addictive to let fill the space around you.
The Japanese traits dance into view quite notably for the atmospheric and melodic intimacy and instrumental choices of EMA, the title-track. An Eastern rhythmic and melodic wave of colourful calm ensues, creating a striking contrast with the retro-electronic floor-filler energy that preceded it. Aenaria furthers this impact with a cinematic, neo-classical moment of pure emotional power that’s all-consuming and deeply soothing, with a twist of thought-provoking lyrical redirection towards the end.
On thoughts of juxtaposition, we also get an intense switch to something like dark metal for the distortion and euphoric excitement of 369 (Miroku) – a brilliantly enchanting change of pace, with haunting vocals and industrial rhythms that again re-ground things amidst the playful but purposeful artistry that’s recognisable as Sienná. This is another favourite, the countering forces are compelling, and the track is incredibly unique yet engaging and enjoyable to listen to at volume.
After this, absolute joy and simplicity – Finding Inner Sanctuary stripping away the darkness for a nostalgic Eastern melodic pattern that’s a little dizzying but devoted; to a kind of electronic neo-classical aura that’s fascinating and gentle. The sonic nuance and intricacy here, the skill with which Sienná has arranged and completed the track, is particularly brilliant.
The Majestic follows well and continues down this engaging pathway, with a tribal rhythm and some unique dissonance from the keys, as vocal harmonies create lush new layers of descending melody.
At the penultimate moment, things get playful and funky again, as A Messenger creates a hazy retro electronic mood, with a spoken British accent administering a striking balance between laid-back and complex – a light-hearted delivery but dark and intriguing, sometimes profound references and scenes that linger in the mind.
By this point, EMA has effectively graduated from good to great, in my view. The creativity is next level, and Sienná has managed to balance absolute artistic freedom and versatility with a clear sense of reason, intention, and value. This lets the album feel incredibly diverse yet relevant from start to finish.
Currently based in Oslo, Norway, Sienná is an artist and producer making music that’s multi-culturally infused and fiercely distinct, but these nuances are often so subtle, that you can easily just lose yourself in the make-up and movements of the music, before noticing the true originality and skill on display.
Find Sienná on Bandcamp, Apple, X & her Website.
