When I Wake Up
CEG, 2020
9/10
The Welsh singer-songwriter Sera Zyborska returns with a batch of tunes that draw from folklore, as violin from Nico CJ and Len Whitehead’s electric guitar help illuminate her varied and timeless song craft.
“Rabbit Hole” starts the listen with quivering strings as Sera’s inimitable delivery is both soaring and smoldering as the landscape builds into a lush version of folk-rock, and “Into The Woods” follows with acoustic strumming as warm melody meets an orchestral angle that’s a very unique take on Americana with plenty of rhythm.
Closer to the middle, “The Door” display’s Sera exceptional range as a fiddle enters the thoughtful climate, while “Old Soul” moves gently with a slow burning appeal of sublime beauty. “Boudica”, one of the album’s best, then recruits a rugged yet tuneful formula that’s percussively strong and country influenced in playful ways.
“Atlantis” and “Y Gost” bookend the listen, where the former resides initially closer to balladry where keys add much and strings complement the very high notes Sera hits, and the latter moves with delicate, emotive songwriting as expressive singing unfolds with a cinematic quality.
Sera stays plenty busy with her other bands, Tapestri, Eve & Sera and Suspects, but let’s hope she finds time for solo work, too, as the way she navigates around country, folk, pop and Americana textures is nothing short of stunning.
Travels well with: Eliot Bronson- Empty Spaces; Sera- When I Wake Up