Swedish born, London based singer-songwriter KLARA has unveiled her new ‘Voices’ EP, out today on The Office Stereo/AWAL. Made up of previously released ‘Laura’, a radio edit and extended edit of latest single ‘Voices’, the body of work was written in Church Studios and recorded in Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios. Both tracks will feature on KLARA’s eagerly anticipated debut album ‘Blossom’, out January 2020.
Co-produced by KLARA and Erland Cooper, ‘Voices’ is a delicately cinematic yet urgent offering. Boasting a songscape of rich guitar tones by Samuel Williams, an enticing rhythm section courtesy of Fabio de Oliveira (George Ezra), subtle cello arrangements by Klara Schumann and additional harmonies from Karina Ramage and Jess Belgrave, the song was written as a result of KLARA’s deep rooted uncertainty and fear for the direction of our political landscape.
Speaking on the track, KLARA said “It’s incredibly important to be able to speak my truth as in this dark political climate it feels like the loudest voices are telling the most lies. My music tells it softly but it’s my truth. I have been to many protest marches both in Paris and London but it felt good to also be able to put these feelings into my song lyrics.
These themes with political undertones are new to me as I used to mainly write about relationships, emotions & my inner world but it’s interesting and feels important to express my thoughts about the outer world too”.
KLARA returned to Dalarna in Sweden to shoot the cover image for ‘Voices’, the same location where she shot her recent videos for ‘Broken’ and ‘I Can’t Speak For You’. Photographer Olof Grind shot the image on a beach by a lake and is the first to be released of a series of images shot by the pair.
Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, too, offered a helping hand, inviting her to spend time with him at his Eaux Claire festival in America. “We met backstage at Glastonbury,” she recalls. “His music inspires me and I love how he collaborates with so many different artists and celebrates creativity with such passion.”
Mixing the subtleties of a traditional singer songwriter with modern vocal production, KLARA’s work evolves the genre into the modern age. If Bon Iver provide a creative influence, then KLARA’s own love for the church-like reverb of bands such as Daughter and the bold yet sparse power of the London Grammar’s of this world help to shape her sound.
All paths lead to home, however, and to that curious nature-loving girl finding her way in London. “Hope is so important, and we keep it super close to our heart and we almost don’t want to share it,” KLARA reflects.
Through the new music, however, KLARA might find that her long-nurtured vision has become a reality.
