Estère – My Design
(DRM NZ)
Reviewed by Bridget Herlihy.
Undeniably one of New Zealand’s most exciting and engaging artists, Estère, aka the Queen of electric blue witch-hop, has returned with a vengeance with her latest eagerly-anticipated release. My Design is the first part of an interconnected album of two parts, a body of work the extraordinarily talented Estère admits she has been “curating since birth”.
Opening track, Vietnam, at just over a minute long, is an aural appetiser of the sonic diversity of the EP; a juxtaposition of different beats and synths that is masterfully crafted to create a sonically immerse soundscape. What is immediately apparent is Estère’s passion for experimentation and a desire to push musical boundaries. The first chapter of My Design already boasts two critically acclaimed tracks. The dystopian yet paradoxically upbeat Pro-Bono Techno Zone was released earlier this year to critical acclaim, and was quickly followed by second single, Control Freak, which the Wellington-based beat-maker describes as “an ode to our controlling impulses”. Both tracks are so catchy and refreshing that is it almost impossible to remain stationary while listening to them. Grandmother, an ode to Estère’s late grandmother, creates the most hypnotic of electro-soundscapes, marrying together subtle beats and synths while putting her silky smooth vocals on full display. Jellyfish Stings again blends a plethora of uplifting beats complemented by lyrical storytelling sung to create a track that is perhaps best described as the aural equivalent of a bright summer’s day. Final track Ambition delivers a sultry swagger, accompanied with a saxophone, once again showcasing Estère’s seductive and diverse vocal ability, and effectively concludes My Design on the very highest of notes.
As a collection of works that Estère has been working on for the duration of her short 25 years, it has indeed been a life well lived, and no doubt Estère fans both old and new will be on the edge of their proverbial seats awaiting the release of the second part of the interconnected album. And for those who are not yet familiar with the sheer brilliance of this Queen, what are you waiting for?!
