Ana Roxanne – ‘Because of a Flower’

Ana Roxanne is a New York-based artist who, in her work, combines atmospheres of meditative ambient and hymns reminiscent of gospel music. Since her first EP ‘~~~’, I have found her very influential by the way a stillness remains in all of her music, it is slow, appreciative, and healing. ‘It’s an appropriately interstitial vision of ambient songcraft, a chemistry of wisps and whispers, sanctuary and sorrow, conjured through a fragile balance of voice, bass, space, and texture.’ Roxanne stands out because of her skill to transport the listener to a new environment strictly through sound.

On the opening track, Roxanne reads a spoken word with each vocal becoming more and more offset and distorted. ‘Suit Pour L’invisible’ adds a bass guitar on top of ambient chimes and quiet drones which I found very fascinating. The idea of using a guitar on an ambient based piece of work is a new realization to me and has intrigued me for future work.

On the track ‘Venus’, the song starts with a spoken word about water and its’ bountiful, generous nature. From here the track transcends into an ethereal song of praise for the element. ‘No matter the vessel, the water does not change. It is the same. It stays the same.’ About four minutes into this piece, it transitions into a lush hymn of Roxanne’s vocals amongst water gently flowing.

The closing track, ‘Take the Thorn, Leave the Rose’ is a solo bass guitar piece that transitions into what sounds like a vinyl record playing a slow tune with Roxanne’s vocals in the distance. The first half of this track feels very much like a western film almost, it is dry and low which adds an interesting contrast from the rest of the album.

What I feel like I can learn from this album is the minimalist sound can still be luscious, engulfing, and impactful.

Because of a Flower (2020) Ana Roxanne https://anaroxanne.bandcamp.com/album/because-of-a-flower-2