In the style of Motown soul joined with growling synth and funky percussion, “Wrenning Day” is a nostalgia trip with a little something extra. The song has an amorphous, living structure which wanders, drifting between jarring unease and soft vintage magic in unpredictable transitions. Tight, layered rhythms and overlapping harmonies hold the track in a engaging but restless state.
New York based Ava Luna is a seven-member collective taking pains to create an experimental sound that’s hard to pin down. Frontman Carlos Hernandez takes the vocal lead backed by a three-part female harmony and a jumble of string and key rhythms. The group’s appeal comes from their non-linear tracks which draw heavily on ’70s soul and funk while adding deep synth, sharp strings and wild vocals which shift from a rough shout to a smooth harmony at a moment’s notice.
The group has been known to enter the studio with nothing more than a few chords and a general feeling, debating and screwing around until an intricate, gorgeous song rises from the chaos (process here, final product here). Their dedication to their live performance has led to their refusal to overdub, wanting everything coming out of the studio to be visible and fresh in concert.
A thorough appreciation of Ava Luna requires more than a cursory listen. Take a minute. Soak it in. I think you’ll enjoy it.