Awna Teixeira Wild One
Portuguese-Canadian artist Awna Teixeira first embarked on a
career in music in 2001, subsequently playing live all over
North America. In 2005, she joined fellow musician Allison
Russell in becoming a part of the band Po’Girl. In the seven
years that followed, the duo recorded five records together and
toured around the world, performing hundreds of shows across
four continents.
By the time 2012 rolled around, Teixeira was ready to release
her first solo effort, Where The Darkness Goes. After it was
met with critical acclaim, the singer/songwriter dropped her
Thunderbird EP in 2013 and is now preparing to share her
second full length album, Wild One, with the world.
Lying somewhere between the territories of acoustic folk and
pop, the compilation features eleven tracks, beginning with
“The Light in You”. This quiet opener is made up of subtle
instrumentation and light vocals. The tone remains reserved for
the introspective “Blue Heart on Your Sleeve”, which sees a
hushed riff joined by a gentle harmony and placid piano keys.
“Wild One” saunters along next through further instances of
soft instrumentation, but with a more buoyant melody.
There are a greater number of musical elements at play during
“Little Ghost of a Whale”. It builds affectively as it progresses
while maintaining a distant sound and dream-like ambience.
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Review by Dave Simpson
The soft, emotional vocals of “In The Winter Time” are met with warm instrumentation
that features a lot more percussion than the previous entries. This is followed by the stirring
acoustic riff, pleasant piano keys and resonating harmony of “Yellow Moon”.
A solemn and serious rhythm unfolds against passionate and determined vocals during
“Thunderbird”. It’s grander in scale than its predecessors, brightening up as its restless
momentum develops. Things get busier when “Bees and Things” sets in. Hectic
instrumentation and an optimistic beat keep it a lot more animated than what came before.
“Freedom Fighter” makes a return to the reticent acoustic nature of earlier tracks, while
exhibiting a rousing melody amid piano work that adds a sense of hopefulness. Its
successor, “A Sailor’s Dream”, starts with an electric hum that lingers over a steady
drumbeat and lively accordion set. Afterwards, “Away We Go” brings things to a poignant
close with a peaceful riff and sharp, penetrating vocals.
The material showcased on this second solo album is very serene and ethereal. Its
restrained, stripped down sound makes for a tranquil listen. Wild One is set for release on
March 16th, following which Awna Teixeira can be found touring the UK between the 18th
and 29th of the same month.