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Ella Ronen presents serious music. The kind that demands listening and receives it, without hesitation. Slowly but surely layers of guitars are added to the arrangement, all playing a different part. My ears keep jumping from one to the other, having a hard time to keep up, while enjoying the beauty of 'Truth' all of the time.
Ella Ronen lives in Zürich in Switzerland and just released her fourth album. When she was looking for a producer for her new album, she decided she wanted to work with Sam Cohen. When addressing him, according to Cohen, she forgot to send the song with the email. On the basis of her story he decided he wanted to work with her. Sometimes things are this easy, but let's be glad it was in this case. Together they created an album that makes an immediate impression. Music can be serious and highly enjoyable. The Girl With No Skin is such an album.
In general Ella Ronen is not in a hurry. Her songs take their time. Her stories slowly unfold themself. The surprises come in the music. Little stabs in the arrangement are allowed for, keeping the listener on his toes. Ella Ronen herself is not afraid to command attention to her singing as well. For example, by providing long notes showing her emotions, where she seems to keep them tied within her with her regular voice.
Things change in the fourth song, 'Fuck Cute'. The song has totally different percussion forms, underscoring her need to express to "fuck cute, pretty and sorry". She has had enough of it. The dark guitars provide an extra layer to her feelings. This combination of musical forms is a big part of the attraction of this album. At heart this could be songs that Ella Ronen could perform solo on a piano. I have no clue whether she is a pianist, and I could be wrong, but these songs do not sound like being composed on an acoustic guitar.
From that (piano?) basis the songs are totally dislodged to undergo a full treatment in Sam Cohen's studio, to come out as a completely different product. In 'Feel Of Rising' at some point there's no instrument left besides a little percussion. Less is more, is a leading motive on The Girl With No Skin anyway. Not always, yet certainly the thought is always present. This treatment makes it a modern album, containing, at heart, traditional songs.
The song that alerted me to the album, single 'I Just Want To See You', again stands out. Not only because it is a duet with producer Sam Cohen, but because of its utterly laidback beauty. Again in the background some mysterious sounds blow like the wind and dropping away like the wind can. At the same time, it is the most regular song on The Girl With No Skin. Two people expressing their wish to see each other, against all odds and distances. It is also the softest song.
What comes next is literally a scare when it starts. 'The Mall' is the rock song Ella Ronen presents. Distorted guitars and all. It is the ugliest song on the album as well. Dissonant by intent and delivery. Even her voice gets a treatment making it sound more electronic. 'The Mall' stands out like a sore thumb. Ella Ronen can rock successfully when she decides to do so.
In 'Tightrope' the mood goes down again. Only relatively though. The song has a very present drum part coupled with a Michael McDonald style electric piano. The combination makes 'Tightrope' the most poppy and commercial song of the album. Still far from what I associate with the charts today. I can imagine the song becoming a hit in more alternative charts. It sort of slides into my brain to stick there permanently.
Ella Ronen presents a varied album, mostly very serious but a glorious listening experience. From beginning to end she holds me mesmerised and taking me on her musical ride, showing me her stories and family history as in 'Rearview'. The Girl With No Skin is impressive, this is the right word to use.
Wout de Natris
You can listen to and order The Girl with No Skin here:
https://ellaronen.bandcamp.com/album/the-girl-with-no-skin
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