‘Hell Is Empty’ sits at the middle of ALVIRA’s Aerial Suite. A 3-movement EP that is cinematic, dramatic, lush, and immersive. A prominent piece of experimental alt folk in between an electronic, dark synthpop opener and a funky merger of synthpop and ambience as the last movement, ‘Hell Is Empty’ is a provocative piece.
Frome, England based musician ALVIRA specializes in alternative folk with a pronounced strain of synth-tronica, cinematic, choral, and pop in her composition. Perhaps a blend between Nanna, Agnes Obel, and Oh Land, ALVIRA’s visual and stunning folk and pop is at once engaging and contemplative, urging you to dance, and to pay very close attention to the poetic lines she’s borrowing from the Shakespearean The Tempest.
The intricate arrangement of ‘Hell Is Empty’ features dynamics that ebb and flow, ALVIRA’s smooth tenor delivery, spoken word segments delivered by Sam Parkinson, all interspersed with melancholic melodic and harmonic compositional cues that show up in bursts of subbass, ALVIRA’s dark vocal wails, and gorgeous sections that feature the song’s gargantuan beat and full chord sequence.
A nuanced piece of songwriting and a beautiful mix help in creating space for ALVIRA’s voice and sense for movement to shine. A dynamic piece inspired by her training at the Royal Ballet School and her love for classical English drama, ‘Hell Is Empty’ is a fulfilling piece of music.