Full Review

AurallaurA, Exetastes Review

Under her artistic moniker AurallaurA, Laura Chu Wiens has crafted an eclectic and ambitious auditory journey with her project Exetastes. The eleven songs are a cohesive world sound with influences ranging from jazz to rock music. The album stands out for its musical diversity and exploration of identity, belonging, and the human experience across geographical and cultural boundaries.

“Shelter; Storm” is a waltz with a captivating Celtic influence, its big chords and emotive arpeggio figures setting a dramatic and engaging tone. AurallaurA’s clear and expressive vocals bring the melody to life, highlighting her ability to convey emotion and passion through her phrasing. The lyrics add a dynamic storyline, further enriched by the arrangements and layers of sonic textures and colors.

“In “Icarus,” the waltz feel is cleverly maintained by a nuanced call and response between the bass and piano, weaving a sound that feels elegant and charged. This interaction has Latin music, jazz, and theater elements, showcasing the ensemble’s versatility. AurallaurA presents a narrative with depth with her lyric theme.

“Second Summer” ventures into a vibrant melding of rock energy and world music rhythms, with Greg Lutz’s guitar and flute performances standing out for their precision and expressiveness. His guitar work, rich with tonal variety, and his evocative flute lines add layers of texture that are compelling and harmonious with the overall sonic landscape. AurallaurA’s knack for crafting melodic lines that bridge disparate genres is particularly evident here, as she navigates through this fusion with ease and inventiveness. The result is a sound that is globally conscious and refreshingly unpredictable, offering listeners a journey through musical landscapes that are as diverse as they are captivating.

In “City Sister, Homestead Heart,” AurallaurA showcases her versatility by blending funk, rock, jazz, and world music elements. The track is characterized by her agile vocals, which effortlessly set the mood and narrative of the song. Lutz’s contributions on piano, saxophone, and keys provide a robust foundation and colorful accents around her vocals. His saxophone and fluid piano solos are excellent, demonstrating high musicianship and creativity.

“Zapjevala Sojka Ptica” is a glimpse into traditional Balkan music through its elegant gypsy overtones. AurallaurA’s decision to sing in the original Baltic language adds authenticity and depth to the performance, with her clear diction and expressive delivery enhancing the song’s emotional impact. The violin accompaniment adds a spicy flair, while Lutz’s clarinet brings an exotic tone and soulful solos, further enriching the track’s cultural and musical exploration.

The album concludes with “Yuan Fen,” a track featuring dynamic violin played by Gracie Zielinski. The rhythm section underpins AurallaurA’s singing with building energy, while full backing vocals provide rich harmonies that elevate the song’s emotional resonance. Zielinski’s violin solo is a standout moment, and a shift to half-time for the bridge introduces a compelling change of pace, showcasing the album’s musical diversity and depth.

Exetastes highlights AurallaurA’s talents as a vocalist and lyricist and her deep understanding and appreciation for global musical traditions. The album’s blend of blues, Latin, funk, jazz waltz, and traditional folk music, unified by Chu Wiens’ distinctive narrative lyric-writing, makes it a compelling listen. That’s the short of it!