To Build a Sea, emerges as a sonic masterpiece that refuses to be confined by conventional labels proving Lolli Wren is a force to be reckoned with.
Lolli Wren, a vocal force of nature, takes listeners on an evocative journey of self-discovery, resilience, and healing. Drawing inspiration from visionaries like Stromae, Jeff Buckley, Pink Floyd, Kate Bush, and Tool, the album seamlessly fuses elements of art rock, electronic, folk, and progressive music into an immersive and deeply emotional experience. Wren’s astonishing four-octave range is not just a technical marvel but a dynamic storytelling instrument, shape-shifting from haunting whispers to soaring, ethereal heights.
At its core, To Build a Sea, wrestles with the ghosts of the past while striving for a hopeful future. The album opens with the arresting acappella piece “Ella,” a raw and fiery introduction that serves as both an invocation and a declaration of intent. From there, "I Can't Decide" bathes in contemplative uncertainty, its delicate instrumentation framing Wren’s internal conflict. Tracks like "Build a Sea" and "In a Wave" deepen this exploration, layering lush soundscapes that ebb and flow, mirroring the emotional tide of transformation.
As the journey unfolds, the middle of the album brims with defiance and self-affirmation. "Want to Want to" pulses with a hypnotic rhythm, its lyrics a plea for agency and forward motion, while "Flow" urges surrender to life's natural currents. Wren's voice remains a beacon of intensity and nuance, capturing the highs and lows of emotional rebirth. The production throughout is intricate yet organic, never overshadowing the vulnerability at the heart of each song.
The album reaches its climax with "All Mine," a cathartic explosion of raw energy that distills the essence of the entire record—grief, growth, and triumph entwined in a breathtaking finale. The interplay between light and shadow, tension and release, makes for a listening experience that is as gripping as it is cathartic. To Build a Sea, is not merely a collection of songs; it is an odyssey, one that urges its audience to wade through their own depths and emerge renewed.
With this album, Lolli Wren proves herself to be more than a musician—she is an architect of sound, sculpting worlds within melody and meaning. To Build a Sea, is a testament to the transformative power of music, a record that demands to be felt as much as it is heard. Whether you are searching for solace, strength, or simply something strikingly original, this album invites you to dive in and let the waves carry you away.
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