Diandra Reviews It All

When you think of paradise, you think of perfection. Yet, Anohni’s Paradise EP is all about the imperfections of humanity’s current state. Anohni has always been known as a fearless performer/artist. Her vocals are like snowflakes: crystal clear and shaped to match each philosophy an analysis that Anohni forms as she looks at society in sheer disappointment. Thus, Paradise EP feels more like a beautifully tragic goodbye to the idea that Heaven could one day be achieved on earth.

Frankly, humanity is in some scary times. So many communities of people are terrified at being themselves but cannot be anything but who they are. In this sense, Anohni’s Paradise EP is a mutual love letter for and address of discontent from women, environmentalists, people of color, LGBTQ and any person who feels diminished and tossed by out by society because it does not agree with his or her life. This may seem like too vast a theme to be embraced by an EP, but Anohni is a smart woman that has made each song a compartment for a cause.

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Track By Track Review:
In My Dreams- feels like the beginning of a musical nightmare that leads into the visionary voice of Anohni. She is singular in her vocals that even my words feels too cheap to express the distinct luxury that is her sound and poetry.

Paradise- Paradise feels like a house-trap song that furthers this is not a “happy” album as much as a beautiful confrontational whirlwind of brilliant thoughts and broken hearts. Anohni’s usually delicately caressed vocals transcend from their natural soul to go into ghostly, haunting annotations; showing that even she has changed her demeanor to show the world is building its devastation.
Jesus Will Kill You- With a bassline that sound like a guerrilla army is a invading a jungle of synths, this track would make a Pharisee run. Anohni’s piercing voice balances its lyrical weight with an almost motherly undertone. Hence, hearing her caring voice change into a feral tone reminds of when Jesus tore up a temple enraged with how it had been converted into a market. As Anohni calls out Christians and corporations that work together to displace, dismiss, and degrade communities, you cannot help but get the same image of Anohni going to a business meeting and releasing her rightful hurt/fury.

You Are My Enemy- a tragic ballad, of which Anohni mourns the fact that, as women, we can birth our own enemies. In perspective, this notion is deeply impactful. What do we do when our children deny our rights, our being, and even merit to live. The ballad begins soft and pondering with a gentle synth-wave flowing like a flag in the wind, until a kick-bass begins to clatter and suddenly that flag becomes a symbol of war.

Ricochet- I love when songs have a contrast between their lyrics and beats. Ricochet feels like a run through 80’s beats/sunshine, which is befitting considering Anohni is questioning whether our definitions of God are truly of light. Readying to give up her faith, this song leaped at me, especially as a young Christian, because so often we question God as Love when we face the hate of his his followers. Yet, as “Jesus Will Kill You” showed, even Jesus called out his own followers for being all about flash and “showmanship” rather than depth and love.

She Doesn’t Mourn Her Loss – another quiet, tender ballad that shows an undeniable truth; humanity is not losing the earth; the earth is losing humanity. As the earth “loses” its riches or “changes” as Anohni vocally whimpers, it strikes you that I am not protecting myself when I do not protect the environment. Once again, Anohni’s voice writhes with pain as if she cried her tears upon a guitar, and that guitar became the song’s stringed melody.
Overall, this album is gorgeous, thoughtful, and needed. Three things any artist would love to achieve with an album. To Anohni’s Paradise On March 17 Click Here.