Russian-born and Vancouver-based, solo artist Elza’s newest album Nothing's Wrong does everything right. A haunting and meandering arrangement of ten tracks, her newest offering consists of a whirlwind of strings and chilling vocals. Expertly weaving together violins, cellos, guitars and violas, Nothing's Wrong is reminiscent of if Alanis Morissette were to ever make a dark, trip-rock album.
Opening track “Moonlight and I” starts out with upbeat drums, which are quickly cancelled out by the ominous and overpowering sounds of the keyboard. With wailing, powerful vocals, Elza croons, “Older versions of my freedom nag at me / I’ve gone through all twenty seasons of the year / Trying to remember why I'm so afraid / Of losing what I've never ever really gained.”
The tendency to reminisce about past states of being and yearning for things that will never happen is a feeling that nearly everyone can relate to on some level, as well as a feeling that Elza repeatedly works into Nothing’s Wrong. Insightfully crafted lyrics make Elza’s music what it is, especially since the tracks could be considered powerful poetry even if all instrumentals were to disappear.
Although the finished tracks seem effortless and the songs flow naturally, everything Elza does is carefully and lovingly prepared:
“I spent over two years working on this album alone, carefully crafting all the arrangements. When I felt complete with the demos, I traveled to Israel to record the songs with a band and a sound engineer and producer Ronen Roth.”
Elza’s world experience rings through just as strongly in Nothing’s Wrong as her musical experience does. With her first full-length album now under her belt, future endeavours are sure to be even more soulful and dark in the best way possible.