Sienna Tenn casts a spell with her beautiful debut EP, memory lane. This seven-song collection provides a glimpse into the talents of this Meeanjin/Brisbane talent who isn’t afraid to do it all.
On memory lane, we see Sienna taking full control of her artistry. She’s the singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. Everything you hear is a realisation of her vision. She seems to trust it completely, taking sonic risks that other artists may not attempt in their first outing. I appreciate that Sienna doesn’t play it safe.
I knew I was listening to something unique from the dreamy opening track, “reverie.” This gentle pop lullaby beautifully showcases her voice and gift for creating lush soundscapes. The ambient vibes continue in the title track “memory lane.” I think it’s the EP’s strongest song, with compelling lyrics that encourage listeners to take a trip back to the past with Sienna. The next tracks “it’s always you,” “should’ve been mine,” and “attached” take a similarly nostalgic tone with wistful lyrics that reveal yearning for a relationship long gone. “lilac love” is a beautiful goodbye to the past. Again I was struck by the lyrics which draw an intimate picture of the relationship even as Sienna wishes her former flame well. It naturally brings us to the present for the closing track, “these are the moments.” Sienna and her listeners aren’t spending time in the past any more. The yearning is gone, replaced with an acceptance. The loss still lingers, but that’s okay. It’s a beautiful place to end the story.
memory lane is an impressive debut EP from Sienna Tenn. It’s not as polished as many pop recordings, but I appreciate listening to music without the veneer. Slick production can sound pleasing to the ear, but we should experience music with much more than that. Press play and engage your heart instead.
Images used with permission from Sienna Tenn
