The debut album from Erny Belle, the musical pseudonym of Tāmaki Makaurau/Maungaturoto based artist Aimee Renata (Ngāpuhi), has already been warmly received on student airways. ‘Hell Hole’ and ‘Burning Heaven’, have both enjoyed spots on bFM’s Top Ten, and there are certainly other tracks from the gothic, acoustic album that could relish in the same treatment.
With this nine track record, Belle crafts memorable lyrics alongside muted guitar, with contemplations about the comfort of home, the process of creation, and the important connection of familial relationships. The titular track summarises these musings wholly, as it closes out the album with a message to Renata’s Nana.
There are also tracks that pull heavily from the country genre. The track ‘Nuclear Bombs’ is particularly clear with this reference, twanging with sweet acoustic tunes. However, the brutal lyrics, like “Now all the fish have been poisoned/From all of our shit running into the ocean”, create an uncanny separation from the melodies, building to a ghostly and absurd sound. Heavy electric guitar closes out the track, cementing this unique mood, and establishing it as a highlight on the album.
The album has also launched with a strong visual style, with the ‘Hell Hole’ video capturing Renata traversing farm land, and the striking black and white ‘Venus Is Home’ video showcasing the artist in various beautiful, exceptionally lit natural environments. Enry Belle makes a strong auditory and visual debut that will have you waiting hungrily for more.
An exceptional debut, both prickly and sweet!
