Friday, March 15, 2013

Favorite Music Friday: Daughter

I've had this girl on my radar for some time now. I heard her perform on David Letterman last October and slowly fell in love with each song on her newest EP.

Elena Tonra is the voice behind the London-based Daughter. Elena was originally writing and performing solo with just her guitar, but she said that it got lonely and she felt that she needed more minds to get further with the project. Her beau, Igor Haefeli and Remi Aguilella joined her in 2010 and helped transform Elena's poetic lyrics and soft, sweet voice into the power and haunting sound that is Daughter.

Daughter is able to take Elena's voice to a second dimension. Elena's solo Demo EP is more on par with a sad, broken-hearted school girl. I could see her winning a High School talent show back in the day performing songs from that EP (take a listen to Your Kisses). And it makes sense, she was 19 when she released that demo. The addition of Igor and Remi really brought Elena's voice the attention it deserves. The addition of experimental keyboard layers that are just haunting, build ups and tempo changes really polishes her maturing voice.

What really sets Daughter apart from other indie pop bands is the lyrics. This girl is a little twisted. You can tell she has had a broken-heart or two. Her lyrics are so painful. In Youth, for example, a song about how most of us are broken-hearted and no longer in love, she says "And if you're still bleeding, you're the lucky ones. 'Cause most of our feelings, they are dead and they are gone. We're setting fire to our insides for fun." I love how blunt and honest she is. One of my favorite songs, Love, is a vindictive, almost passive-aggressive song to a former lover who left her for someone else. The song builds up slowly, with soft ghostly coos from Elena, that make way for the loud drumming into the chorus "Did she make your heart beat faster than I could? Did she give you what you hoped for? On nights so loveless, love, I hope it made you feel good Knowing how much I adored you." Her voice is so soft and fluttering and painful. It is a great mixture for those days where you are feeling self-loathing.

Daughter is releasing their first full-length album "If You Leave" on March 18th! Just today it was pre-released onto Spotify! I always worry that an artist will change or mature into a different (unpleasant) sound/direction each time a new album is released. It happens so often, but I can happily report that Daughter has consistently delivered. I have instantly fallen in love with the first single off the new album, Still. This is a pre-breakup song, things are spiraling out of control, but even with all the hate the two are together.

I hope you enjoy both Still and Youth and find a new favorite!
Have a great weekend!

Daughter - Still

Daughter - Youth

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