Elemantra - Foreign Breath

Elemantra

Foreign Breath
self-released; 2016

3.5 out of 5

By Andrew Westberry

Combining influences from shoegaze, emo, dream pop, noise rock and post punk styles, elementra is a four-member band hailing from New York. The band has released two albums thus far, and their most recent release, Foreign Breath, has been critically acclaimed and is making impressions on the music industry. 

Lush chords and a driving beat begin the album in “Peach Fuzz,” a highly melodic tune with reverb-laced vocals, an expansive soundscape and technical instrumental sections that pepper the track. This short song leads directly into “On Dry Land,” a pounding anthem with mellow vocal harmonies that give the atmosphere an extra layer of intrigue. Equally complex, “Hands of Nebraska” incorporates experimental elements into the punk rock song structure.

The album makes a transition in “My Friends” to a slightly more wistful, subtle style, blending classic emo styles with hints of techno and acoustic pop. “Skin Walker” returns to a more aggressive sound with distorted guitars and crashing percussion leading the way. Acoustic guitars and electronic drums open “Prendergast,” an upbeat ballad featuring falsetto vocals and catchy synthesizer riffs. A more traditional rock soundscape is presented in “One Hundred Bees” and elementra successfully fuses conventional techniques with their own influences to generate a unique style and sound.

Instrumental interlude “Boltok” gives listeners a brief respite before diving into the final three songs of the record. “Flower Bored” begins on soft, quiet notes but quickly transforms into a hard-hitting, yet harmonious, rock-infused anthem. The theme continues in “Cute Things” as lightning-paced percussion and distorted guitars alternate with acoustic instrumentation to create an interesting variety of sounds within the song. The album comes to a close with “If God One Day Struck Me Blind,” a nostalgic, slow tune that gradually builds in dynamic intensity until the very end.

​Foreign Breath contains an eclectic mix of catchy tracks and memorable moments. The lo-fi sound in many of the songs is deceptive, as the music itself is highly polished and talent-based. As a whole, this record exceeds any expectations fans might have had, and it will surely propel elemantra to even more success in their journey.

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