“An album born of a personal process of change and self-actualisation which reckons with gender and past experiences in order to mould life into a more truthful, fulfilling shape.” So we wrote of Shapes, the new album by California songwriter Wryn. Forthcoming on Ani DiFranco’s Righteous Babe Records, the release serves as a vehicle for the artist to broach, process and overcome experiences of complex PTSD and trauma. A space distinct from their quote-unquote self where a new perspective could be gained. “My music got better, more personal because I was able to look at myself more clearly and see myself as separate from my trauma,” Wryn explains. “Once I could see myself separate I could see a lot,” they said. “It’s not just about gender. That’s just one of the things that came from this process.”
Embodying this newfound perspective, latest single ‘Slow Down’ follows its titular advice to become more present within a moment, and thus more aware and observant. “Heavenly the light of the morning / honesty, the weight of this skin,” as Wryn sings in the opening lines, vocals near murmered and supported by little but gentle acoustic guitar. “Turned around, and body is floating / here and now in this moment.” From this centred beginning, the track blooms wider along with the songwriter’s attention, expanding to capture the full magic of the simplest of moments.
almost forget
outside this window
all of the world
keeps turning without
anyone to tell the spinning to slow down
patiently, the sway of the evening
promising the season within
aperture bursting wide open
here and gone is this moment
Watch the video directed by Aaron Coleman and produced by Wryn below:
Shapes will be released on the 28th March via Righteous Babe Records and you can pre-order it now.
Photo by Ian King