Norwegian-born, but London-bred EERA – née Anna Lena Bruland – has been causing quite the stir with her distinctive brand of, well, stirring alt. rock for some while already, although the hypnotic, totally vortical Living proves something else altogether. Indolent comparisons will likely witness this one paralleled with the likes of Howling Bells (more vocally than musically) and Nadine Shah (more musically than vocally), but as it gradually builds towards a borderline decadent crescendo, Bruland imploring: “Make me stand, make me rise/ Help me feel alive,” she elevates herself some way above her every aforementioned contemporary. Vital listening, indeed…
Living is lifted from EERA’s forthcoming Reflection of Youth full-length, which is available from November 3rd via Big Dada.