Rare – because it’s hard to meet such ones these days. Interesting – because from the first minute you realize: before you is an artist whose creative energy is boiling. Agree, meeting such musicians is always inspiring. They remind us that even in the familiar, where it would seem everything has already been explored, there is always room for discovery. I think you can’t wait to learn more about her, to note her features, and of course, to share with others. So, meet Cherry Makes Waves – a Latvian singer and producer now based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. And why is she so interesting, many might think. It’s all about her innovative approach to creativity, where there’s no place for template thinking. A unique combination of sounds and styles, where synthesizers may intersect with rock motifs, and the bass – with a poetic whisper. In her songs, the singer skillfully shares stories with listeners. She works in genres that can be described as dream‑pop / art‑rock / “cinepop” – a mix of electronic, pop/rock and cinematic atmosphere. Her art includes not only music, but also visual art: her music is often accompanied by videos and visual concepts she films and edits herself.
In November, Cherry Makes Waves released her first full‑length album “Home By Eleven”, overflowing with ideas and emotions. The record offers eleven tracks, and for those getting acquainted with the singer for the first time, I recommend listening to the album without interruption, especially the first four tracks. In them, in my opinion, lies the entire core of Cherry Makes Waves. The shamanic‑industrial start – the uneasy intro “Yeah” and then the vivid piece “One Level Higher”. The serene opening suddenly shifts into a bold, unstoppable rhythm. It’s like pressing the gas pedal of a car whose engine turns out to be the powerful vocal cutting through layers of sound. Gradually, the track “gains altitude”. The tense atmosphere swiftly moves toward its climax. And here the most incredible thing happens: the powerful, daring vocal turns into a captivating operatic performance, the finale lifting the record “One Level Higher“.
Another “pole” in mood is offered by “Regulate Your Mess”, darker and tougher. The musical fabric is sewn from sharp, exact‑hitting percussions and heavy keyboards; a sense of weight and pressure appears in space. Electronics here, as well as all the heavy instrumental elements, are subordinated to one thing: the vocal. The manner of performance, leaning toward punk, is the cornerstone of expression in the track. In my view, it’s perfect for those moments when one needs to let off steam or embrace inner anarchy. A true injection of restless energy begins with the title track “Home by Eleven”, my favorite on the album. Cherry transforms, performance moving from dark punk to a mood that can easily stir the audience.
The album “Home By Eleven” stands out for its experimental approach to sound and production, as well as for strong emotionality and stylistic diversity. For example, in the track “Dancing Like I Know Ya”, where after a pop introduction, the rhythm gradually shifts toward rock intonations, whose sound is enhanced by Cherry’s rich and tense vocal. To me, it seemed like an interesting and beneficial decision. The track “Bloody Mary” also feels successful on the album. Its sound reminded me of an organ; the drums are assertive and resonant, and the bass guitar seems to invent something sudden and beautiful on the fly. The singer is distinguished by emotional precision, diversity of moods and tones, a constant play of nuances and details in arrangements – something that delights an attentive listener. In the track “Sea”, the sound becomes transparent; the song differs markedly from what was heard before. The melodies glide, and together with the soft, touching, weightless vocal, they soar. A gentle motif with inventive synthesizer parts lifts the music somewhere into open space. A very beautiful piece – I recommend paying attention to this track. The tracklist closes with the heart‑piercingly beautiful song “High & Dry”. Here Cherry chooses a hoarse vocal manner. Instrumental and electronic colors overlay the singing violins and lead vocal, which in this song is bright and theatrical. The dark and melancholic piece takes on perfectly the role of the “last violin“.
It’s worth noting that the recording is flawlessly executed: the highs and lows sound perfect, every instrument is audible, allowing full enjoyment of the equally flawless vocal of Cherry Makes Waves. The debut album “Home By Eleven” turned out to be fantastic for the singer! The mood of the album is not soul‑bared or an exploration of secret thoughts – it’s rather an extroverted statement, a reflection of emotions and a dance of souls. And judging by this release, the singer has no intention of chasing market trends by simplifying the sound or the content of her songs. Passing through the nervous informational tension of the era, Cherry preserved her creative credo and seems to have reached a new level of feeling and understanding – both of herself and her music.
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