Ever since she moved to Glitterhouse Records, the career of Christine Owman got on its velocity and diversity. Until 2013, she was releasing records under her own label, Revolving Records. The debut Open Doors was followed by more successful efforts, Little Beast and When On Fire. The big turn came not only because of the new contracts, but also because of the maturity the albums brought to the table.
As Christine is a producer of her albums, the production is not polished as most commercial stuff is. Still, this improvisation and tendency to appreciate irregularities make her music sound more raw and candid then anything else out there. Besides music, she is also into theater and film, so theatrical moments and emphasized visuals are omnipresent in everything she does.
Christine says that movie is another side of the music. That is why her albums are like movie landscapes with noir atmosphere and mysterious vocal. Influences are abundant – from post-rock to new wave and classic music. Christine also plays few instruments, which allows the mix of traditional and modern slightly more conspicuous.
When On Fire connects two opposite worlds into one story torn with dichotomies. One of those is the contradiction of distortion and lethargy. Due to raw faculty I have already mentioned, this binary oppositions become underlined. The sound is noisy and dreamy, both at the same time. What a magic trick! The vibe of the album, its transitions from darkness to light and vulnerability of vocal bring out some unusual emotions in the listener.
The guest appearance by Mark Lanegan on title track will certainly be a hook for bigger audience, although Christine already has two songs with him on her previous effort. The duet is hands down the best song on the album. David Lynch would love it. Another guest is Soko, who gives her all on That Low. Both singers deliver image of imaginative, unconscious and ecstatic landscapes we all get lost in, whether we want it or not. The feeling on uncomfortable and unknown is pervasive on the whole record. Away Away Away brings postpunk forte, while Sleepwalker is like an eclectic dream.
Christine Owman knows how to investigate styles. It will be interesting to follow her music path.
