Orava – the French-born, London-based multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter and producer – has just released a stunning debut album, ‘Behind The Wave.’ A graduate of the Musician Institute of London, Orava draws inspiration from French touch, classic electronic, DnB, and traditional rock, blending analog with digital, homemade recordings with elaborate production, and vintage instruments with synthetic textures.
We last heard from Orava upon the release of his captivating music video for “Going Backwards,” which was shot on a beach in southwest France. Opening with an ambient grand-piano and melancholic vocal melody, “Going Backwards” deals with the impact of time on people’s personal growth and “the wish to go back in time to make better choices,” Orava explains. The reverse sequence music video features a mysterious figure emerging from the ocean and slowly walking backwards to the top of a dune, and the powerful connection between the video and the song offers viewers a shortcut in understanding the deeper meaning behind Orava’s lyrics.
Born Axel Gerard and crafting his music between England and his native France since 2018, Orava is named after a stream in north-western Slovakia that roughly translates as “roaring river.” Inspired by artists like Daft Punk, Phoenix, and Depeche Mode, Orava’s compositions tackle the common hopes, doubts and fears of his generation, drawing mostly from his own experiences. Written, composed and produced entirely by the artist, “Going Backwards” follows the release of his previous singles “Behind The Wave,” “The Rest is Noise,” and “Now I Know.”
Check out ‘Behind The Wave’ wherever you get your music, and be sure to keep an eye on this promising new artist. We’re sure we’ll be hearing a lot more from Orava over the next few years.
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