Experimental electronic textures, industrial dissonance, and hazy pop sensibilities converge on Was It Real or Was It Just Me?, the debut album from London-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Jana Tyrrell. Released through independent label My Pet Flamingo, the record brings together influences spanning rock, metal, and experimental electronics, reflecting Tyrrell’s broad musical interests and her experience collaborating with vaporwave duo Donor Lens.
Opening track “Conversations” is exemplary of Tyrrell’s dynamic electronic pop sound. “Everyone has their regrets, a hazy version of events,” she lets out with compelling introspection, as prancing synths illuminate forth into an eventual flurry of rhythms, in the “conversations with myself” hook. Soaring backing harmonic layers embed seamlessly thereafter, as the lead performance attains a soulful “let it burn” charisma as the pit-pattering rhythms and glimmering synths continue their wonderful escalation.
Ensuing track “I’m Tired” unfolds with dreamier allure, its spacey synth tones and wordless harmonic caress venturing into a lovely expanse, where Tyrrell’s dreamy lead presence pairs with a magnetic trip-hop rhythmic feeling. “Wishing that life would get its foot off my neck,” she sings, capturing personal tumult but also the willingness to triumph through it, before arriving into the admission of being “so tired.” These relatable world-weary sentiments show nicely there, while “Skeletal” is aptly named for its ghostly harmonic tones, swelling into glistens of synths and buzzy distortion alike as the heightened delivery enthralls. “Bridge to the next” is a gem as well, unveiling one of the album’s lushest sounds as starry-eyed synths, poetic lyricism, and caressing lead textures intertwine. Was It Real or Was It Just Me? is a fantastic, artistic electronic pop full-length offering from Jana Tyrrell.
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“Was It Real or Was It Just Me?” and other tracks featured this month can be streamed on the updating Obscure Sound’s ‘Emerging Singles’ Spotify playlist.
We discovered this release via MusoSoup.
