Even before I knew the back story, the new track “Ash” by Marnie Stern proved itself a track that was able to conjure up the “hair standing up on your neck” type emotions. Then I found out it was a song written in a three day, sleepless binge after Stern found out a particularly important ex boyfriend whom had helped motivate her to be a musician had committed suicide. The track has an amazing resonance that seems to pull the listener into the speakers from the first second. Where some tracks start slow and built up, “Ash” seems to start at the top of the crescendo and only add more and more as the song proceeds. The guitar shredding that Stern is known for is replaced by pleading vocals, explosive drums and a cacophony of instruments, sounding like the most emotive indie rock orchestra ever created. It is a powerful song to say the least and while I wish it wasn’t borne out of such a painful moment, it really goes to show the level of emotion that can be packed into a four minute song.
-Josh
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