Jessica O’Donoghue - Rise Up (2022)

“Rise Up” is both beautiful and haunting. Combining lyricism from the traditional Greek song “Dance of Zalongo” with her own lyrics and incredibly rich, complex instrumentation, the track is both empowering and morbid. The original lyrics tell of the Souli women and their mass suicide in the face of the Ottoman empire, and O’Donoghue has woven passages of that song around her own haunting vocals. The tragedy of the song can be felt through the anthemic and varied vocal ranges, with the group of ladies who sang the chant channelling folky influences that play off well against the very modern synth and drum work embedded into the track. The stunning contrast when the synths drop away and you’re left with the chants is sure to give you chills.

“Rise Up” is the first single from O’Donoghue’s upcoming album which will of course be released on Art As Catharsis. On the record, Jessica had this to say:

‘This album is really about a woman’s journey,” begins O’Donoghue. “It goes from hopes, dreams and promises to dark times, challenges, sacrifices and doubting/questioning to acceptance, nurturing and healing, to celebrating and honouring the feminine story and experience.‘