The eagerly-awaited fifth album from ISQ – The Irene Serra Quartet.  The Silence Is Deafening takes its inspiration from women’s lives – the ones lived loudly and the ones lived in careful silence.

THE PERFECT VEHICLE

We’ve been waiting for this one– the portents have been very encouraging.  ISQ – Irene Serra Quartet – is the ongoing project of Milan-born, London-based vocalist/ songwriter Irene Serra. The Silence is Deafening is Irene’s fifth album.

We had an inkling that something special was in the pipeline when we first came across  the album’s lead single, Animal, back in May.  Our anticipation was further piqued in mid-July, when follow-up single, On Shoulders of Giants, worked its mellow, jazzy magic.  Our anticipation wasn’t misplaced; parent album, The Silence is Deafening, is a joy to behold.

Irene Serra has spent over two decades honing her special brand of jazz-infused, lyric-rich alt-pop.  And, with ISQ – the current lineup is completed by Richard Sadler (bass), Chris Nickolls (drums & electronics) and Luca Boscagin (guitar) – Irene has the perfect vehicle with which to deliver those sweet, smooth goods.

MAKING SENSE OF A SHIFTING WORLD

The Silence is Deafening takes its inspiration from women’s lives – whether those lives are lived loudly, or whether they’re lived in careful silence.  The album is a tribute to Irene’s mother’s resilience and women everywhere whose stories’ reflect Irene’s own.  As Irene is keen to emphasise, these songs are both personal and political.  “The songs on this album were a long time in the making,” explains Irene.  “This is my attempt to make sense of a shifting world and of the elusive human condition – its unexpected beauty and moments of light, alongside the sadness, the quiet and the everyday violence it contains.”

The title of opening track, on Shoulders of Giants, is taken from Sir Isaac Newton’s famous quote: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on shoulders of giants.”  Irene’s lyrics are a challenge to the legitimacy of wisdom. And she delivers them to a gentle, soothing backing of soft acoustic guitar and a light-touch drum rhythm.  Her enchanting vocals occupy the neutral ground between folk and light jazz and draws the best qualities from both.  When I first heard the song, I was immediately ensnared by the fluency of Luca’s guitar solo. That fascination endures with repeated listens.

The subtle decay of oneself, when trapped inside a controlling relationship provides the sticky subject matter for Faded.  A shimmering guitar works a quiet form of magic as it allows Irene all the space necessary for her to sing her tuneful, yearning, jazzy lines.  Her voice is front and centre, but the band make their presence felt in a fully complementary way.  I’m particularly impressed by Richard’s bassline – never flashy, but so very effective.

SENDING SHIVERS TO ALL THE RIGHT PLACES

And the band continue to thrill in that respectful, understated manner with the heartfelt No Time at All.  Inspired by days spent with family, Irene’s lyrics express a conviction that quality time is the ultimate prize.  Irene’s voice hits the mark once again as she delivers lyrics like: “Take time to watch the leaves falling, until the seasons turn,” and her multi-tracked backing harmonies send shivers of delight to all the right places…

Arguably the album’s focal point, the quietly powerful Kindred Spirit is another showcase for Irene’s vocals.  Her voice is loaded with both passion and compassion and the listener can’t help but be carried along, especially during her scat passage.  The band do get an engaging look-in, however, during the song’s extended instrumental coda.

I’ve previously described lead single, Animal, as ‘creepily funky’ and I’m happy to stick with that.  Irene serves up yet another superlative vocal performance and the backing is sublime.  Their rich, smooth sound is underpinned by Richard’s fluent bass and is topped off by a delicately chiming guitar solo from Luca.

HARROWING

The band stick with funk and Irene assumes a slinky, sleazy persona as she probes the dynamics of male/female relationships with Lady Death.  Chris and Richard provide the rhythmic drive and Luca chips in with yet another stunning guitar solo.

With lyrics like: “I’ll pretend not to notice the bruise on her face, as her eyes look on a lonely place” and “Angela, Angela, why do you stay?  His violent heart’s not a home,” Irene confronts the issue of partner abuse head-on with the harrowing Angela.  Irene’s lyrics are inspired by the UK’s ‘Ask for Angela’ campaign and the tone of her voice as she sings them leaves the listener in no doubt: she is both shocked and angered by the situation she describes.  Admittedly, the tune is probably subsidiary to Irene’s potent lyrical message, but it certainly deserves the listener’s attention.

A POTENT COMBINATION

To close this excellent album, Irene reclaims the witch archetype as a symbol of feminine wisdom with the unsettling She Walks Through Fire.  “[The song] brings together many of the album’s central themes,” says Irene.  “Feminine resilience, intergenerational wisdom, environmental responsibility, social justice and the importance of listening to voices that society too often ignores.”  Irene’s voice is soulful and haunting as she delivers her message to a soft, contemplative backing of electric guitar, rich bass and warm percussion.  The song has an ominous feel and Irene doesn’t need to raise her voice to make her point: “Lay your weapons down.  You can’t fight fire with fire.”

The Silence is Deafening is an album to be absorbed and savoured.  Forthright lyrics, charming vocals and top-notch instrumentation – that’s a truly potent combination.

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