SIERRA - A Story of Anger

Darksynth phenomenon SIERRA has been on the rise ever since she released her 2017 EP “Strange Valley”. Her strong offerings led her to have one of the most successful independent careers in the dark electronic scene, collaborating with the likes of MATTERO TURA, aiding in the soundtrack creation for Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodhunt, and more recently being the opening act for Carpenter Brut’s 2022 European Tour. To say the very least she’s been riding a high that has never let up, and fans are the more willing to eat up ANYTHING she produces because she’s so fucking good at what she does. A true synth wizard. 

Regardless, in her time spent as a musician she has yet to release a full-length album, something that she has fixed with the release of her debut album “Story of Anger”. What we get out of this is eleven tracks of pure electronic bliss which sees a further upscale in Sierra’s production while adding in a few heavy collaborations, and a brand-new take on lyricism that is stunning. 

Each and every single one of the songs on “Story of Anger” are exceptional; above par and beats down mediocrity to a bloody pulp. The song that sucked me into the album is the second track on the album, ‘Stronger’. A powerful combination of deep synth beats with a cinematic flair backed with some angelic choir, piano keys that hit at just the right moment. This is the song where SIERRA steps out of what appeared to be a comfort zone; past releases saw her using more of a spoken word style. While her attitude driven lyrics always worked in the past, ‘Stronger’ sees her step out of that comfort zone and become a singer. Clean and clear with digital undertones that gives her voice a sci-fi edge; perfect in harmony and outstanding in execution. 

SIERRA also respects what she wants to do, and what she’s great at. And sometimes that’s crafting a cinematic masterpiece fit for the next great cyberpunk fiction. This is exactly what happens on ‘Traum’. A melancholic piece filled with soaring synths that I imagine as the soundtrack for the cover art of the album; a black background, the fog covering everything below the ankles, and a visage of a person with glowing eyes. SIERRA herself, though more persona than human; artificial over reality. Another one of the stand out pieces on the album. For more like this, with some vocal presentation, look no further than ‘So Blind’. 

Of course, SIERRA also makes room for her clubgoers on the album, with songs such as ‘In my Veins’ primed for the dancefloor. Crunchy beats that are made to get people stomping on the dancefloor as neon lights make ecstasy laden sweat glisten in the midnight hours. ‘By Fire’, ‘Your Shadow’, ‘Club 21’, and ‘Never Right’

As far as the collaborations go, we have to look at ‘Holding on to Nothing’ which features one of my favorite modern electronic acts, HEALTH. Their ethereal vocals, airy and lightweight, carry the intro minute-and-a-half before SIERRA breaks apart the song with down and dirty bass. It’s quite a fetching song as HEALTH’s vocals get a bit more distorted when the beat transforms; monstrous in a sense, and it’s wonderful.  

SIERRA also collaborates with Carpenter Brut on the album on ‘Power’. As the song might suggest, the single brings Brut’s electrifying energy to the playing field; a shocking, grittier take on darksynth music that’s raw and lethal. The last collaboration to mention sees SIERRA team up with Corvad for a metallic twanged powerhouse on ‘Wait and See’. 

I’ve been following SIERRA ever since she came onto the scene in 2017 and I haven’t stopped since then. Following her musical journey has been nothing but pleasant and “A Story of Anger” is an album that I’ve naught a complaint about. Listening to this from start to finish I can’t find a single moment of impurity; not a blemish on this fine skin. It’s one of the best albums I’ve listened to in quite a while, and probably one of the best albums I’ll listen to in my life. A rare occasion to happen; even a legendary one. I can’t remember the last time I gave one of these out, but here it is: a perfect score for a perfect album.