In advance of an imminent album release next month, this comparatively new artist, named after the Greek goddess of wild animals, releases a fully-fledged, self-produced four track EP of ‘ethereal’ instrumentals that play around distinctly with the ether and the realms beyond.
Born as Lindsey in Alaska and raised in Colorado, she has spent her entire life creating: short stories, drawings, murals, poetry, sculpture, film, photography and fibre work are just some of the mediums she has experimented with. Now, her creative streak has turned towards ‘sounds’ to merge with those existing talents – writing, singing, recording and producing her own songs; and what an intriguing collection of sounds it is.
‘Lush’ introduces itself with birdsong and an ominous, slowly-building refrain before semi-erupting into a restrained yet elastic beat that wills your ears onwards. The birds return, the beat quickens and the layers interlock into a muscular lament that ebbs and flows between the branches of trees and the veins of ferns. This is very physical music that subtly invades your body, pulling away at your defences with a trembling urgency. It eventually disappears into the undergrowth, followed swiftly by ‘Jack’, even more seductive with its sampled guitar line and the first hint of a vocal: ululations, repeated breathing between, then becoming part of the groove, layering insistently whilst upping the BPM count, skipping a heartbeat or two, before again receding into the mist.
Track three, ‘The Serpent’s Eye’ imparts a mystical, tribal quality with its softer, seductive beat, leaving spaces in between, turning almost atonal as it builds towards an imminent climax that never quite arrives. The wall of sound is mesmerising and holds the attention, exuding a 90’s Beloved feel. ‘The Farmer’ segues effortlessly and I am reminded a little of Black Celebration–era Depeche Mode, before the song descends into sci-fi territory and the beats grow heavier, intertwining and becoming quite menacing, pierced throughout with waves of synths emitting warnings, bells ringing on the edge of the mix and ending, quite suddenly, leaving you questioning further.
This Arrow’s work is heavily focused on memories, emotions, and personal experiences; she likes to say that art saved the three cornerstones of her existence: her sobriety, her sanity, and ability to live without fear. Such a hypnotic and confident EP provides ample evidence of that fearlessness, especially on repeated listening. She is likely to reveal the same breadth and depth on her upcoming debut album, VISTA, released on August 8, 2020.
Dive in, then follow the curiously compelling trajectory of Artemis’s Arrow, on target and focused solely upon your ears, brain, primed to stimulate a pure reaction.
Hugh Ogilvie.
