Tess Parks – Pomegranate

Tess Parks‘ new record, ‘Pomegranate’, is a hypnotic fusion of drawling pulses and psychedelic undertones. Lush, experimental, and abundant, Parks’ third solo collection arrives as a key moment in the trajectory of her sonic ventures. Where ‘Pomegranate’ embodies the pinnacle of Parks’ creative imaginations, she hopes this record will provide the same solace and inspiration to others.

Of the album, she shares: “This album is a gift of love, our contribution to the world of something beautiful that we made amongst so much pain. It’s our message of empowerment to keep going even when life feels unliveable and unjust – having faith that this moment will pass if you can find a way to just breathe into the next moment. Believing that the future could possibly be really bright… knowing that sharing your light really does have a butterfly effect, even in a small way within your community and your family and friends, you are capable of making a greater impact than you understand.”

Following the success of Parks’ most recent solo record And Those Who Were Seen Dancing in 2022, her latest combines the whimsical, expansive nature of the first, powering forth with heartfelt elasticity and powerful vulnerability. Parks teams up with longtime collaborator, Ruari Meehan, for this record, exhibiting their creative synergy in maintaining illusionary landscapes that blend fresh nostalgia at the interim. The London-based, Canadian singer-songwriter draws from a spectrum of lush expressions to craft atmospheric reverberations. Longing and levity substantiate the expansive cosmic realms of ‘Pomegranate’, where joy and exuberance draw you deeper into her sonic world with husky vocals and shimmering instrumentals.

Opening on ‘Bagpies Blues’, ethereal nodes pave the way for Parks’ vocals to drive with an almost haunting quality. Unfolding into ‘California’s Dreaming’, full instrumentals close in on playful lyricism before sending us straight into ‘Koalas’, and ‘Charlie Potato’, where sharp and observational lyricism dominate innovative production qualities. Here, enters ‘Crown Shy’, introducing glistening guitars and singing bass notes, before aerial soundscapes arise in ‘Running Home To Sing’ – buoyant rhythms keeping the senses afloat.

Parks brings us back to the surface with ‘Sunnyside’ and ‘Surround’, leaving the listener on a note of remorseless optimism. Embedded in these songs are Parks’ own feelings of grief and recovery. To her, the record is a culmination of overcoming her own rocky relationship with music. Feeling hopeless amidst our current global climate, Parks puts the album out into the world as her own labour of love, a contribution that sheds light amongst the pain.

8/10

Words: Rachel Min Leong

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‘Pomegranate’ is out this Friday.

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