‘TWO’ by Anoush is a moody, yet whole alternative pop album that paints expansive imagery and colours in emotions that feel dark yet true. The lyrics of each track allude to something deep and resonant, while feeling distant, haunting and almost ethereal at times.
Anoush’s voice is like deep velvet on the tracks. Her voice guides the album’s mood and tone with vocal performances that are sometimes deep and sultry, while other times being feather-light and almost ethereal (or haunting, depending).
The instrumentation on the album ranges from rhythmic guitars to moody, sometimes insidious piano melodies. These moments on ‘TWO’ are backed by subtle percussion, strings and synths that give the songs an almost pop flare.
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‘TWO’ pt. 1: Setting the Scene
The first track on the album, ‘Divide & Conquer’ introduces the listener to what seems like a deep crisis of faith. Pianos longingly plod over strings while the percussion attempts to drown out the vocal that sounds pleading. “…Save me from myself my God, save me from your hell my God…”.
‘Golden Hills’ sounds darklyrepentant almost, its lines using forest fire imagery to conjure up a visceral sensation that stings of regret.
“…The Sun is shining (too) high in California,
The golden hills burning underneath my feet…
…Can I take the heat?…”.
‘Brave Girl’ is defiant, with its bluesy horns and strings softer down the mix. It chronicles a girl tested by fire, trying to reconcile with her new-self. “…Sometimes I miss the how I used to be, but I love the new me…”.
There is acceptance licked with the pain of flame, almost responding to the crisis of faith. “…There is beauty in the dark part of me…”.
‘Take a Trip’ and ‘Lies’ seem to tell two parts of the same arc (story). The former has lines that cover a sense of temptation, escapism and seduction. The singer urges the song’s subject to “…take a trip with me…”, “…we can transcend reality…”. Ending with a sense that the subject has given in.
The latter introduces a new third voice, holding the subject accountable for what they did. “…I know what you did…”. It describes the dark aftermath of ‘Take a Trip’ while introducing a dark piano.
This is where a prevalent sense of melancholy is introduced to the album’s soundscape.
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‘TWO’ pt. 2: From Dark Melancholy to Darkness Bright
From Dark Melancholy…
The first track on the album, ‘Divide & Conquer’ introduces the listener to what seems like a deep crisis of faith. Pianos longingly plod over strings while the percussion attempts to drown out the vocal that sounds pleading. “…Save me from myself my God, save me from your hell my God…”.
‘Golden Hills’ sounds darklyrepentant almost, its lines using forest fire imagery to conjure up a visceral sensation that stings of regret.
“…The Sun is shining (too) high in California,
The golden hills burning underneath my feet…
…Can I take the heat?…”.
‘Brave Girl’ is defiant, with its bluesy horns and strings softer down the mix. It chronicles a girl tested by fire, trying to reconcile with her new-self. “…Sometimes I miss the how I used to be, but I love the new me…”.
There is acceptance licked with the pain of flame, almost responding to the crisis of faith. “…There is beauty in the dark part of me…”.
‘Take a Trip’ and ‘Lies’ seem to tell two parts of the same arc (story). The former has lines that cover a sense of temptation, escapism and seduction. The singer urges the song’s subject to “…take a trip with me…”, “…we can transcend reality…”. Ending with a sense that the subject has given in.
The latter introduces a new third voice, holding the subject accountable for what they did. “…I know what you did…”. It describes the dark aftermath of ‘Take a Trip’ while introducing a dark piano.
This is where a prevalent sense of melancholy is introduced to the album’s soundscape.
‘Your Letter’ uses a melancholy piano to imbue the track with a longing tone. The lyrics sound stream of consciousness, as though the singer is writing out a letter to someone they haven’t seen in a while and miss terribly.
“…Why don’t you write me anymore?…
…Where did you go? You didn’t even say goodbye…
…Are you ok on your own?…”.
…To Darkness Bright
‘June Gloom’ introduces a bluesy guitars with a lilting piano melody low in the mix. Its still tinged with a sense of hurt from the last song, while adding in a layer on betrayal. “…Boy you’re so pretty, but you don’t miss me…’.
‘Red Roses’ introduces a sound that is dark, insidious and haunting. Its menacing pianos darken the soundscape while its lyrics ellude to something deep and significant changing within the narrator. Like something has been lost and something else gained.
“…I painted the red roses,
In the rain they bled…”.
By the end, the line “…off with your head…” sounds almost unhinged.
‘Dark Woods’ sustains this darkness with haunting strings and shadowy imagery. The narrator seems to provide a sense of faux comfort, with lines that are repeated and almost sound like dark incantations. The line “…magic to be whole…” is repeated to this effect.
‘I Will Behave’ takes from the slightly dark and unhinged ending of ‘Red Roses’ and introduces an almost playful sound with its piano. Its lines sound insidious yet sure in its attraction for the subject. They drip with dark temptation.
“…Is it too late to take back the look I gave you?…”.
‘Obsessed’ introduces guitars that have slight bluesy swing while describing an attraction that feels forbidden. There is a free feeling to the words, almost as though the narrator is finally allowing themselves to say what they want to.
“…It might be taboo, but baby I’m obsessed with you…
…I love everything about you my dear…”.
There is a brightness to the lines, the trickles before grounding in the song ‘Glistening’. This song seems to resolve on a brighter note, allowing the album’s soundscape to expand a bit more. It sounds almost like a new beginning with a sure yet ethereal sounding piano melody.
Conclusion & About the Artist
‘TWO’ by Anoush is an album that takes its listener on a deep journey that slowly allows itself to release in the end. Though only by a little. The album makes for an almost soothing listen that compels you to keep your eyes closed while enjoying the ride.
The Artist
Anoush is a classically trained artist that writes, records and produces different kinds of music. But she mostly releases art pop. She is able to use her skill-set to push musical boundaries while her artistic independence gives her the freedom to do as she desires.
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Listen to ‘TWO’ here:
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