NORA

Toronto artist blog.

I would not normally cover an artist with such a limited discography as Nora's, but after hearing just the first two singles I immediately felt like I hit a jack pot. He is one of the most impressive and talented artists I have heard in the past few months. His music is so different from what I normally cover that I felt compelled to showcase him here. NORA has this dope aesthetic to him that feels very classic but also futuristic. He has a refreshing alternative rock aesthetic and sound that feels up to date but also hold some of the best aspects of what made it great. His discography, despite being new and limited, has a very powerful quality to it. His music had an impact on me in just a few short songs, which is something that happens very rarely, if ever. His first single was released on August 21, 2022. The song is called "Strange to Bloom.” The track begins with a very distinct cinematic sound stage. Instrumentals give off that classic acoustic rock sound from the 1980s and 1990s. The instrumentals on this are reminiscent of Nirvana's grungy melodic style and delivery. Above all, that acoustic sound is something that makes his music so much more powerful and memorable. The atmosphere created by these instrumentals is something out of a movie. NORA's cadence and vocal mixing were flawless on this track as well, adding to the fantastic production. He really gave us a portal back in time with the track. His delivery and flows are so naturally executed and paired with the acoustic production creates a timeless piece like “Strange to Bloom.” Everything from his physical appearance to the cover artwork contributes to this sound and style. That's a level of quality and dedication that's difficult to find, and I admire NORA for being a real artist and taking all the steps to making it happen. “Take Away the Night” would be his next single. This song is incredible; the instrumentals take centre stage and NORA delivers a fantastic memorable performance.

I appreciate his emphasis on acoustic instrumentals as well as his preference for a darker aesthetic. The electric guitar brings back so many wonderful memories and also reminds me of a time in music that was so iconic that it will almost certainly never be surpassed. His voice has a lot more depth and range then what meets the ear at first. On this track, you can hear his fantastic melodies and soft vocal approach. which showcases his versatility and how he can play around with different delivery styles. It’s amplified by how well-crafted the song is and how much depth and emotion it contains. In only two singles, he's demonstrated so much talent and quality for his craft. His most recent and best work to date is his five-track project titled "Strange to Bloom." This project includes the two previously mentioned singles as well as three new tracks. These are “Blue Mountain,” “Glass,” and “Autumn Comes Around” respectively. "Blue Mountains" is probably my favorite track of his, and it's also his most streamed song, with 26,000 on Spotify. The project maintains the same aesthetic and sound as his previous releases while providing us with more to enjoy. "Blue Mountain," "Glass," and "Autumn Comes Around" all have a very similar style to them, from the beat selection and the classic 80s rock instrumentals to his vocal delivery and mixing. These songs really carry some heavy nostalgia but also a level of novelty that is just impressive. NORA has not only demonstrated his talents and versatility in a few releases, but he has also demonstrated how powerful he can be in the music industry in the coming years. The skill of creating timeless music is losing meaning each day in this fast food market we are living in today and the application for music like NORA’s is feeling like it’s slowly dying. This level of quality and skill in making music of this level is something that will and should give everyone a good clear look at how far NORA can truly go. I’m excited to hear more from NORA and I feel like a full length album at some point this year would go a long way in establishing his name in the city.

Written by Maxim Bayarky