Radio Play
- Oran was featured on Tim Walker’s Folk on BBC Radio Lincolnshire show: Tim Walker’s Folk (September 2024).
- Oran’s three singles have been played on “World of Music” presented by Graeme Scott on K107FM, Kirkcaldy (September 2024).
- Oran’s ‘A Mirror’ single was aired on “VIEWS FROM THE EDGE” – Mad Wasp Radio (online) / TD1 Radio Galashiels (September 2024)
- Oran’s ‘Falsely Faithful’ was played on BGFM, an independent station based in South Wales by Dan James, Folk Wales Radio. (September 2024)
- Oran was played on Scotland’s BBC Travelling Folk, “Oran’s SOON TO BE RELEASED SINGLE ‘A Mirror’ was played on Anna Massie’s Travelling Folk show and she said, “…we’ve got a treat for your soul from an artist and sonic story teller called Oran”. (May 2024)
- Phoebe I-H of BBC Music Introducing Scotland praised Oran’s “blues rock influences” and urged audiences to keep an ear out for her music. (March 2024)
- Amazing Radio UK and Amazing Radio USA have both played Oran over 50 times now, and have feature Oran as a regular, requested artist for her debut single ‘Falsely faithful’. (2024)
Music Reviews
The following review has been printed at the “Folk Wales” website:
http://folk.wales/magazine/?p=3063 (scroll down to “September 2024” – Mick’s Quicks)
Oran: Rebellious Rebirth. Album Review.
Reviewer: Mick Tems:
► Diagnosed with complex PTSD in 2023, Scottish and Moray-based singer-songwriter Oran embarked on a journey of healing and self-exploration, leading her to follow her heart into making music. Her album Rebellious Rebirth (Independent release, ORANRR2024CD) walks a very fine line between folk and compulsive rock beats, with her impressive voice creating striking double-tracked harmonies and her intriguing harp and keyboards weaving dreamlike melodies. Watch her, for she’s bound to have an impact. FolkWales verdict: Thumbs up!
The following review has been printed at the “Liverpool Sound And Vision” Website:
https://www.liverpoolsoundandvision.co.uk/2024/08/30/oran-rebellious-rebirth-album-review/
Oran: Rebellious Rebirth. Album Review.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Reviewer: Ian D. Hall
“Do not go gentle into that good night…”, words written arguably by Britain’s most dominant poet of the 20th Century, and one that we must pay attention to if we are to be more than a whisper at any point of our life; and one that Scottish singer-songwriter, Oran, complies with charm and grace, and the ferocity of a sun exploding in space, in her brand new debut album, Rebellious Rebirth.
It is perhaps the midst of acknowledging our own battles that we arrive at the conclusion that art is the healer, that if we prescribe to a kind of primal therapy where the experience is nursed back to health, where can look it logically and learn from the lesson to create something timeless, so acute and beautiful, then we don’t have to be meek in the face of pain, but rather roar like a bear or howl as the Canadian Timberwolf would against the backdrop of harsh conditions. To create, first we must understand and reflect, and hope that we also carry the battle cry of the revolutionary into our new, bold outlook, and in Rebellious Rebirth the opportunity to see the world in retrospect, to captivate the audience and the fan in a celebration of resurrection and perhaps rejuvenation is a compelling act of self-assured dynamically charged self-exploration; an explosion of confidence that reaches out with that groove of ferocity.
Across tracks such as Set Free, My Wulver, Sweet Downfall, Ocean Blues, and the conclusion of the album in This Moment and Dream Anyway, what becomes clear is that the journey undertaken to arrive at the point of delivery was one that pushed the boundaries, the subtle undertones weaved through the narrative are such that the support gleaned infuses, inspires the listener to seek their own path to renewal, to be a non-conformist militant in the fight against a society and its woes that threaten to topple us all into the abyss.
A wonderful debut album by Oran, one of class that is willing to never bend or buckle, but instead be fiery in her own renaissance.
The following review has been printed at the “Folking” website:
https://folking.com/oran-rebellious-rebirth-own-label/
Oran: Rebellious Rebirth. Album Review.
Reviewer: Graham Brown
As Rebellious Rebirth is a debut album with an inspiring back story, by an artist – Oran – who is likely to be unfamiliar to many readers, a bit of background information seems a good way to start. Just a year ago the Scottish pianist, harpist, singer, and songwriter was at a low point. A former professional musician, Oran had been away from music for ten years, but many find healing in creativity, and Oran found her way back to music. In particular, it was songwriting that provided a new beginning and resulted in a collection of new songs. From there she contacted a music producer friend in London – Gerry Diver – and the result is Rebellious Rebirth.
Predictably, the lyrics are self-exploratory and introspective, but Oran hopes they’ll provide support and inspiration to others experiencing personal crisis, so it’s not all gloom. Musically, Oran draws on various influences, combining Celtic folk with bluesy melodies, techno beats and ambient soundscapes.
These influences are apparent from the start. ‘Falsely Faithfull’ – a song about betrayal and manipulative behaviour – has a powerful opening, with industrial drumming quickly joined by piano and fiddle playing a stirring Celtic melody. Then the vocals begin, and the blues influence enters the mix. On the following track, ‘Set Free,’ the electronic, techno elements are very prominent. Opening with the repeated line ‘Under my skin,’ It develops into a lively tune with a good rhythm, and lyrics that talk of setting out on a new journey.
The tempo changes on ‘A Mirror.’ This has a discordant, ambient opening, before haunting and soulful vocals begin. Ambient background effects continue, but this is the most Celtic sounding track on the album, with Oran’s harp the main instrument and a good fiddle sequence. The tune is gently haunting. The lyrics speak of the way we are seen by others and contains hints of loneliness and loss. A beautiful track.
The mood feels altogether different on ‘Wulver,’ an upbeat song about a relationship that seems to be going very well; ‘You’re my wulver, The dancer in my dreams’. A wulver is a sort of part wolf, part man, and appears in Shetland folklore. Is that really something you’d want in your dreams? Well, in this song, full of folkloric references – ‘I’ll be your selkie lover‘ – the answer is clearly, yes.
By this point on the album, two things have become clear. First, that Oran has a fine and versatile singing voice. Second, she has a knack for creating tunes with an infectious rhythm. That’s true of the next two tracks. ‘Get Ready’ has a delicate harp opening, which gives way to more soulful vocals and discordant techno effects, with the repeated lines ‘Need a new army, Army of you and me.‘ This new army is an army of love, and the lyrics are a heartfelt plea for a better World, where humanity comes together. ‘Stronger inside’ is another track with a good and infectious hook. The opening sets up a strong drumming rhythm, giving it the feel of a joyful marching tune, with a message of inner strength.
From another discordant start, ‘Sweet Downfall’ develops a pleasing melody with a Celtic feel. That partly continues, with some good fiddle sequences on the following track, ‘Ocean Blues,’ although this is another track with varied influences and, with its piano and base opening, it has a jazzy vibe. Oran’s impressive piano playing is evident here.
There’s another nice piano sequence at the start of ‘Forgive Me.’ A techno backing then underpins a gentle tune, while the lyrics carry a serious message about the hurt our words can cause, and the healing quality of kindness. ‘This Moment’ follows with another gentle tune, this time with an almost dreamy quality. This is another track on which a relationship is going well, and with no wolf men this time. The important thing is to be in the moment; ‘We’re standing in this moment that won’t come again’.
Which brings us to the final track, ‘Dream Anyway’. This stands apart from other tracks here in that it’s essentially unaccompanied vocals. The techno wizardry is gone, other than an echo effect on Oran’s voice that works very well. This is another serious song – ‘When we go there’s no more suffering that went before.’ Like ‘Get Ready,’ it’s a plea for a better World, with big tech as the main target. Oran is particularly concerned about the impact of ‘silver screens’ on children, and there is a powerful plea for them to stay connected to nature. This is haunting, anthemic, heartfelt, poignant, and a great conclusion to the album.
Rebellious Rebirth is an album the fuses varied influences, and fusion can divide opinion. The question is, does this work as a folk album while also achieving wider appeal? My conclusion is – and I’m sorry if this is a dreadful cop out – that I couldn’t quite decide. At times I wasn’t sure where to place what I was listening to in the musical landscape, or exactly where its appeal will lie. On the other hand, this album has some really good tunes, accompanying heartfelt and thoughtful lyrics. It’s well produced, and Oran has a towering voice.
Perhaps another way of looking at it is that, wherever it fits in musically, this is a very listenable album, and Oran is developing a unique sound of her own. Possibly because of its varied strands, it also rewards repeated listening. Rebellious Rebirth probably won’t appeal to some purists, but for anyone interested in experiencing something a bit different, it’s well worth a listen. Oran is an original new voice in the broad folk genre, and I shall watch her progress with interest.
The following review has been printed at the “Time Past and Time Passing” website:
https://timepastandtimepassing.wordpress.com/2024/10/29/oran-rebellious-rebirth-2024-self-released/
and also at the “FATEA Records” website:
https://www.fatea-records.co.uk/magazine/reviews/Oran/
Oran, Rebellious Rebirth (2024) Self Released
Oran, a Moray based Scottish singer-songwriter uses music as therapeutic self exploration following a 2023 diagnosis, of PTSD. Harnessing emotion and experience to create music delivers an incredible set of songs and soundscapes. Oran and producer Gerry Diver construct a sometimes calm and sometimes savage album around the bones of fine songs, the singer’s incredible songs and musicianship.
“Falsely Faithful” pulses with power, heart provided by Oran’s organ playing, producer Gerry Diver’s violin and huge muscular drums. Riding over the seething music is Oran’s captivating blues voice. Capable of mystical and hitting those big notes in the same song, with lines like “I’m not the good girl you wanted me to be” Oran delivers real edge. Go to the internet and there is a powerful video that includes the album cover image. “Set Free” marries folk beauty and pulsing pop driven by the dance floor, but that incredible voice really delivers a soulful punch. With another atmospheric internet video “A Mirror”, “Sweet Downfall” “My Wulver” dial up the Psych Folk Electronica built around Oran’s ethereal voice. If like me you are fans of You Are Wolf, Mishaped Pearls or Bird In The Belly, then this hypnotic mix of traditional sounding lyrics, dreamy beats, harp and violin is really going to hit the spot. “Get Ready” uses electronica and a cut up approach to the vocal to deliver a call for change. Again the message in “Get Ready”, “Sweet Downfall” and the incredible, affirming “Stronger Inside” are carried by a strong chorus and compelling beat without sacrificing ytge touch of weird. “Ocean Blues” with rippling piano and string bass sounds is a dark Portishead take on a late night blues spiritual, oh and a killer vocal too. Gerry Diver’s production and Oran’s music make everything sound sophisticated and considered not like a debut offering. “Forgive Me” carries on the contemplative piano that becomes a hypnotic love song with a, swirling vocal arrangement and sharp lyrics. Fluttering electronics and bass in “This Moment” slowly build into a song about trust and cautious love. ‘We are standing in this moment that won’t come again’, there is an anthemic quality to Oran’s chorid and her powerful delivery. Big on emotion, this electric torch song ends the album on a charged positive note.
This a keeper and a grower with depth and power.
Marc Higgins 29/10/24
