We Speak Indie Artist
Zenya Ray Unveils Sublime New Single “Even the Angels”
Zenya Ray is a composer, with a rapidly growing and loyal following, based in Sacramento, California, and originally from Japan. Despite only making his music debut in 2022, he’s managed to get off to a flying start, with his poignant, folk-influenced sound already accumulating hundreds of thousands of streams on Spotify alone, and he doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon.
Keen to build on his momentum, the rising artist has revealed his brand-new single, “Even the Angels”. Written by Zenya and produced by his creative partner Haris Pranowo, the track stands out on first listen with its stunning piano-led instrumental, which is the perfect backdrop for the track’s emotive vocals as Zenya’s moving lyrics are brought to life.
Speaking further on the new release, Zenya says, “I wrote the original song on my acoustic guitar and worked with my producer to arrange the song primarily using the keyboard and the electric guitar. It’s about a real-life couple who helped me get through severe depression following my divorce. It’s a song of appreciation for their unconditional love and support. It has a super uplifting and punchy chorus.”
“Even the Angels” is available to buy/stream now on all platforms.
Keep up to date with the latest from Zenya Ray: YouTube | Spotify | Instagram.
Plain Mister Smith returns with Bric-À-Brac Attack, a beautifully offbeat collection of indie-folk, pop and atmospheric songwriting. Released via Amelia Records, the album finds the Vancouver and London-based multi-hyphenate turning fragments of memory, relationships and everyday absurdity into something quietly cinematic.
At its centre is “Grindavik”, a shimmering, reflective track inspired by the Icelandic town shaped by recent volcanic activity. Bright acoustic guitars and steady drums carry a constantly shifting chord progression, mirroring the song’s central metaphor of a relationship under pressure and the hope that its fissures can eventually heal. Featuring Jordan Klassen and Kitt, the track captures the emotional tension that runs throughout the album.
Elsewhere, Bric-À-Brac Attack moves effortlessly between playful guitar-driven moments, lush arrangements and more introspective passages. “Miss Sunshine” brings infectious energy, while collaborations with Findlay Brown, Leeroy Stagger, Krystle Dos Santos and Tyson Mostenbocher add colour to an already eclectic record.
Former guitarist of Canadian darkwave band Moev and a cellist with the Vancouver Philharmonic Orchestra, Plain Mister Smith brings an unusually broad musical perspective to his songwriting. Yet Bric-a-Brac attack never feels overly calculated. Instead, it has the charm of something discovered rather than constructed.
Warm, strange, melodic and emotionally searching, Bric-À-Brac Attack is a record that rewards getting lost in its details. Plain Mister Smith may remain deliberately mysterious, but the music itself speaks with remarkable clarity.
Photo credit: Sandra Lockwood
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