by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

This is the third album from the duo of Anna Phoebe and Aisling Brouwer, who have recently bolstered their reputation in soundtrack scores for Savage Waters and The Buccaneers.

They describe their first album since 2021 as “peeling back all the layers we cloak ourselves in until there is nothing left but the source, and discovering the strength that resides there. We wanted this album to feel raw, honest, and intuitive. There are themes of resilience, determination, grit, and an optimism in forever chasing the dawn after dark. It’s the bursting of bubbles and realising how much lighter everything feels without them.”

The single-word track titles are clues to the directness of expression the pair use, and on occasion the pair are complemented by vocalist Imogen Williams.

What’s the music like?

There is a freshness to AVAWAVES that is immediately felt on headphones, which indicates their wish to peel back the layers is an immediate success. The listener is led into wide open spaces, set down and allowed to enjoy the fresh musical air, free of any pretence or expectation.

The title track is purely and deeply felt, Phoebe’s violin played without vibrato and supported by calming piano – and it sets the tone for a purity running throughout the album. Mood secures a range of colours through its imaginative scoring. The violin uses pizzicato, double stopping and subtle inflections to the phrasing, while the doleful piano line is complemented by fuzzy electronics and a solid, quick moving beat. It is, as the pair say, the soundtrack to an imaginary film of the listener’s choosing.

Escape and Raindrop have strong Celtic flavours, the former given a winsome violin line and the latter soft vocals and a free spirit. Crush is synth-based and quite trancey, while Rumour brings the piano forward, its textures mottled and weather-beaten. Sleep Tight is a consoling song, the only one on the album, and is beautifully sung.

Does it all work?

It does. The music builds up in layers but never gets too much – or too cheesy. When used, the beats are especially good, as in the evocative Nightdrive.

Is it recommended?

It is. Heartbeat is an appropriate title for the album, as AVAWAVES make music from the heart, notable for the purity of its expression. Emotional and evocative, it is a rather wonderful listen.

For fans of… Erland Cooper, Ólafur Arnalds, Hauschka, Max Richter

Listen / Buy

Published post no.2,535 – Saturday 17 May 2025