Sienná Takes You on a Journey of Innovative Sound and Imagination in New Album, “Wa-Kei-Sei-Jyaku 和敬清寂”
SIENNÁ - Wakeiseijyaku album artwork
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Japanese songwriter and producer Sienná is a recording artist who is undaunted by the artistic unknown as she has boldly pushed the envelope creatively to unimaginable heights throughout the course of her career and body of work which comprises her voluminous catalog of music.
The Oslo, Norway based creative is the purveyor of a visionary sound and style of music which masterfully blends the core components of electronic music and the experimental space while also incorporating elements of classical and traditional Japanese music in some of her creations.
Sienná’s discography has a significant number of singles as well as six full-length albums to date. Today, we’re spotlighting her latest project, an album born out of an artistic vision inspired by the “Wabi-sabi aesthetic from culture in Kyoto (Japan), and the landscapes around Tenkawa shrine in Nara (Japan), a meditative mind during the pandemic”.
Sienná has named this new album, “Wa-Kei-Sei-Jyaku 和敬清寂”, a 9-track voyage released May 16 via Anneis Records. The new album contains an incredible assortment of other worldly soundscapes, concepts and an endless deluge of eccentric sonics; accentuated by cinematic tones and a mysterious aura. The songs and compositions on this album will surely capture the attention of your listening senses once you immerse yourself in the project.
What’s the Appeal of “Wa-Kei-Sei-Jyaku 和敬清寂”?
As I referenced above, “Wa-Kei-Sei-Jyaku 和敬清寂” possesses a wealth of sound that spans the gamut of the sound spectrum. The structure of the album’s nine tracks are split into six instrumental pieces and three songs with lyrical and vocal content.
Personally, my music tastes are extremely eclectic so the variety of styles that Sienná presents throughout the album really appealed to me and is an ultimate display of her forward-thinking approach to music and enlightened artistic expression.
For example, the album’s intro track “So May It Be” is an indication right away of how diverse the nature of this project is. It is literally a fusion of all of Sienná’s signature styles packed into a 2-minute timeframe….a classical-type grand piano and Japanese shamisen create the base of this composition while surrounded by a bevy of abstract sounds and ethereal harmonics. It’s haunting in one aspect, yet serene as you drift into the song.
Another album standout, “Ajikan Meditation 阿字観” is an entrancing track driven by a traditional Japanese music soundscape combined with an orchestral backdrop and off the beaten path sounds. The overall tone is dreamy, melancholic while a soothing vocal section is incorporated toward the latter stages of the song.
“Encircle Me” is a perfect illustration of Sienná’s ability to create an all-encompassing sound as it shifts gears from the two preceding tracks. The instrumental piece has a danceability to it as it possesses a pulsating bass line that grooves along with a crisp guitar riff providing the main melody of the song. The track also stands out as it contains a variety of mood shifts and drama building sections…essentially it’s similar to several mini-songs into one.
I interpret the track “Pay It Forward” as a directive and/or social commentary, or it can even be regarded as a motivational song with it’s collection of short imperative statements, many of which can result in personal and professional happiness if done consistently. The soundscape is atmospheric and contains a mixture of vocal interpolations and samples that are intriguing while the song’s arrangement takes you through a variety of dramatic tempo changes.
“Red Bird Arises, Dragon Awakes” further ups the ante on Sienná’s musical dynamism as it is driven by a funky R&B infused bass line and a wondrous symphonic melody primarily composed of strings and violins. It exudes an aura of something you might hear in a crime or action thriller film.
Check Out “Wa-Kei-Sei-Jyaku 和敬清寂”
“Wa-Kei-Sei-Jyaku 和敬清寂” is a stellar project and is available on all streaming platforms and you can indulge in the inventive sounds of this 9-song project via the Spotify link below. Stream the tracks and save to your Favorites Library for quick access and make sure to follow the Sienná Spotify profile you can be in the loop on any future releases. You can also take in the music video to the “Pay It Forward” song off the album via the YouTube embed posted below. Hit the thumbs up button and share on your social media.
Scroll below to connect with and/or follow Sienná on her social media platforms and streaming music profiles. You can also learn more about her music journey in the Bio section. We have also enclosed lyrics below to two tracks on the album, “Pay It Forward” and “Ajikan Meditation 阿字観” so you can read along as you listen to the tracks. Enjoy!
Connect with Sienná
Official website: www.sienna-web.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/siennaweb
Youtube: www.youtube.com/siennaweb
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3xUbvLtGtb41xMTl9SMX7r
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/no/artist/sienn%C3%A1/60696277
Bandcamp: https://sienna.bandcamp.com/
Listen to the “Wa-Kei-Sei-Jyaku 和敬清寂” Album on Spotify
Listen to and Watch the Video for “Pay It Forward”
Sienná Bio
Kyoto born artist/songwriter who is based in Oslo, Sienná has been increasing the range of a cult following by making a name for herself internationally in the underground electronica scene with her brilliantly bizarre creativity.
Her 10th original release, and 6th full album ‘Wa-Kei-Sei-Jyaku 和敬清寂’ is set for release on May 16. The artist channels her love of ‘east-meets-west’ concept and experimental soundscape into an 9-track LP that captures even more of her “no-rules” approach to songwriting and her dreamy and crossover cinematic-electronic music.
Following on from the album, Sienná also drops the synth-avantgarde new single ‘Pay It Forward’ – a track that basically was born as a result of playful improvisation and scrabble words that ended up with making good sense in the current world we are living in. Accompanying the song is the stylish music video, which will be viewable on Youtube on the release date.
“I visualized what came up in my mind in silence during the pandemic, and now I´m happy to let them fly out of the nest.” she also says “I dedicate my release to Ryuichi Sakamoto whose music has been an essential part of my life.”
‘Wa-Kei-Sei-Jyaku 和敬清寂’ will be digitally available for streaming and purchase in major online stores.
Lyrics
“Ajikan Meditation 阿字観” Lyrics
Open up and see, count from 1 to 10
Keep your eyes closed, go within
What you´re truly asking for in your heart and in your soul
Welcome it in, it´s with you now, tomorrow and always
Close your eyes and go within, keep breathing
Let go, surrender, drop in even more
Breath it in, allow it in
Live in this moment, feel it in this moment
Allow yourself to be supported in this moment, it´s ok
It´s time to pass and transform
It´s time to know you don´t have to hold back anymore
In time to give yourself permission to let go now
Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go
It´s ok to let go
“Pay It Forward” Lyrics
Find, catch, sense, feel it
Touch, smell, see, hear it
Bring, move, grab, hold it
Collect, arrange, consider it
Figure, read, computate it
Choose, sort, match, judge it
Imagine, write, specify it
Accept, define, understand it
Start, note, plan, nail it
Load, toss, turn, press it
Stretch, mix, save, link it
Hit, kick, roll, bounce it
Value, test, grow, prove it
Adapt, solve, simplify it
Trick, change, build, form it
Think energy, frequency and vibration
Phrase, color, joint, shape it
Lead, clear, add, free it
Crack, serve, create it
Bind, set, measure it
Name, rule, control it
Teach, show, communicate it
Correct, code, answer it
Expand, admire, develop it
Extend, teach, transform it
Give, take, boost, lift it
Evolve, achieve, confirm it
Continue, know, enhance it
Forgive, allow, advise it
Trust, adore, praise, honor it
Learn deep from yesterday
Live hard for now today
Hope bright for tomorrow
Find, catch, sense, feel it
Touch, smell, see, hear it
Bring, move, grab, hold it
Collect, arrange, consider it
Figure, read, computate it
Choose, sort, match, judge it
Imagine, write, specify it
Accept, define, understand it
Start, note, plan, nail it
Load, toss, turn, press it
Stretch, mix, save, link it
Hit, kick, roll, bounce it
Trust, adore, praise, honor it
Enjoy, support, remember it
Believe, love, sing, mean it
Follow, guide, dream, spread it
Consider the body as a priceless gift, of indescribable beauty
and mystery beyond human conception
A word, a breath, a look, nay, a thought
The most beautiful gift is in our hands.
Now pay it forward
Kevin James has over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry in various facets. He has worked as a recording artist, songwriter, producer, on-air radio personality, background actor and film director. Kevin is a Member of the National Writer's Union.