Does anyone feel like music released in the last two years could make a great soundtrack to a horror movie? It may have something to do with the fact that we live in an unpredicted era and I have high blood pressure surges every time I look at the Guardian front page. Seeing red ink accompanied with the words “breaking news” gives me both dread and an allergy. I keep on thinking: what fresh hell has just developed somewhere in the world and how do we respond to it. It is a not-stop onslaught of anxiety, doom scrolling and unnecessary stomach sensations. But at least the music`s good. Track after track that drops into our inbox at Vanadian proves my little theory: independent artists respond to what is going around us with incredible sounds, words and arrangements.
Some of the singles being sent to us are phenomenal though. They feel cinematic, like little snapshots from a film that is yet to be made, perfect musical summaries to action sequences or tender moments shared between actors. You can close your eyes and almost see those scenes in your mind. If that ever happens to you, please know that it called film scoring, yes everything in the world has its own name. But I digress.
Last November I had a pleasure to review a song called “Final Girl” by TapWaterLucy. And that track felt like both main theme and a recurring character motif for a slasher. The very moment I heard Ruena`s new track “Paraffin”, I had the same sensation. It was like a closing score from the same unnamed movie. I sat down for a moment and said to myself, damn do I know any Hollywood block buster director because something really crazy is happening here. How come two distinctly different songs from two completely unrelated artists could work so well together. I finally worked it out so I will come back to it in a little bit.
You may not know Ruena as a solo artist. Under her own name she is quite new to the market. Her debut single “Glitch” was released two years ago and “Paraffin” is only her second song out. As a touring musician however, she played the biggest stages around: Glastonbury, Download and Rock for People. She worked with varied array of collaborators: from tribute acts like Guns 2 Roses to accomplished independent singers such as Delilah Bon.
“Though it feels weird to consider myself a ‘new’ artist when I’ve been in music for so long, I believe there is a right time for everything, and for me that time is now”- says Ruena about her transition from supporting others to the spotlight – “All my experience to this point has been like a Rocky montage preparing me for this – and I couldn’t be more ready”.
“Paraffin” is a first song from a five track EP that will be released this Autumn. If we were to treat it like a teaser (or maybe better word to use here is a trailer) of what the EP will sound like you have to prepare yourself for quite a mish mash of genres and trends. One thing for sure: there will be rock, with elements of nu metal, pop, alternative, noise and 80s electro -synth.
Ruena has a very vibrant, instantly recognizable voice. She is a contralto, most likely of the coloratura type, which allows her to sing both in low and high registers (similar to a mezzo soprano) with ability to easily move between passages of the song. Just for a comparison, a fellow coloratura contralto is Florence Welch. If you listen to “Paraffin” it becomes quite clear that Ruena has a wide melodic range – indication of a very powerful voice. Strangely enough, she is not classically trained. For a Polish person living in the UK, it`s all quite interesting. In Poland all kids with such ability would go though at least two levels of music conservatoire. Ruena seems to master her voice via personal practice rather than schooling. I can only applaud her persistence but please allow me a little bit of sad observation that UK doesn’t seem to care to support and develop their talents.
“Paraffin” as a single is accompanied by a DIY video made by Ruena herself and Tom Marsh (of Haggard Cat) that was shot in their own house. It perfectly portrays the claustrophobic atmosphere of the song and the fury of Ruena`s vocals. Ruena goes through a series of rooms in a strange building and you are unsure if she is being stalked or just remembers past events. Quite a way to build an atmosphere when you are on the budget. But wasn’t it the same way for all the famous horror movies in the 80s – just like Texas Chainsaw Massacre – before the movie made millions and became a social phenomena? Who knows, maybe the same will happen to Ruena and from an unknown artist she will blossom into a superstar?
To remain a little bit longer in horror movie themes – working on reviews is sometimes akin to stalking. By simply doing research for this blog, I learned so much about the artist. I hope not to sound too creepy when I say that I am truly amazed how many roles Ruena combines. She records all her songs and plans her photo sessions; she designs the sets and takes her own photos. The image on the cover of “Paraffin” was taken and edited by the singer herself. And she still has the time to attend a triathlon (Ruena is also an accomplished athlete).
No wonder Ruena reminds me of Lucy Kevil aka TapWaterLucy. Coming back to what I said at the very beginning of this review. “Paraffin” and “Final Girl” could be themes from the same movie but what bring them both together is not music itself. It is the way both songs were made and that is fully DIY. Lucy Kevil and Ruena have a full artistic control over their material – from writing to mastering and executing visual side to the song. They may not have big amount of money, connections in the entertainment industry, backing of various labels but they simply possess vision, taste and perseverance. And sometimes that is more than enough to create quality stuff. I am unsure if either of them likes the horror as a film genre but they would be damn good at sound tracking one.
Now who has any contacts to Jordan Peele? (the director of Nope, for all you heathens out there who don’t appreciate a good scary story).
You can follow Ruena on socials:
https://www.instagram.com/itsruena
https://www.tiktok.com/@itsruena
https://www.youtube.com/@ruena
https://soundcloud.com/ruena-music
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3Btaoma2Brz3niCfr4gRJQ
Malicia Dabrowicz
Indieterria 