Singer-songwriter, Anna Westin, is set to release her latest album, LEV, on March 25th. LEV will be nine tracks long and will capture the spirit and essence of Anna Westin’s Swedish-Canadian heritage through variations on folk and electronic sounds. Tackling topics such as literature, philosophy, and humanitarian issues like human trafficking, LEV will definitely reflect a lot of beliefs and values that Westin holds near and dear to her heart.
“A lot of the songs are about morality, and this sense of transcendence that collides with the everyday mundane. This is particularly influenced by my work with Jewish philosopher Lévinas and French philosopher Ricœur.” – Anna Westin
Before the release of her upcoming album, Westin also plans to release a single from the album on January 28th. The name of the single is “Bright Burning Mess” and it is the first track off of LEV. “Bright Burning Mess” immediately opens with Anna Westin’s smooth and soft vocals over her accompanying folk guitar, drums, piano, and bass to convey a very intimate setting. This intimacy changes as soon as Westin’s voice grows in volume and the accompanying guitar plays more melodic lines. The result of this fluctuating song is one that leaves listeners feeling reflective and contemplative. Westin is definitely adept in her lyrical painting, which almost definitely comes from her deep appreciation for literature and philosophy.
Another song from LEV, called “Incense Ascending,” is quite different from “Bright Burning Mess” and is a testament to Westin’s ability as a songwriter. This more experimental song begins solely with Westin singing and harmonizing for over a minute to set the scene. The rich effect on Westin’s vocals over the droning sounds of instruments presents itself in a manner similar to a march that arrives in different interesting soundscapes that give a sound unlike any other.
Don’t forget to check out Anna Westin’s newest releases in the coming months and be sure to follow Westin on Facebook and Instagram!
Words by Brendon Gardner
