Since COVID lockdown, we’ve run a recurring print column called Another Look that rounds up several super-brief record reviews. It’s a way to highlight worthy releases from Nashville-residing musicians during the past few months that we haven’t yet covered in-depth. The time has come for an evolution: Rather than one whopping article, we’re revamping Another Look as a series of single short reviews, with one or more iterations online each week.
Kayla Graninger, known professionally as Elke, channels her unbridled musical ability into delightfully unconventional music. She isn’t afraid to get a little weird, a quality my favorite artists share. Graninger co-wrote and co-produced her second album Divine Urge with Jake McMullen (who also performs multiple instruments on every song), and it’s an embrace of sonic disorder and lyrical bluntness.
Each mesmerizing second brings surprises to perk up the ears. Graninger cuts open and examines the relationship cycle with her malleable vocal delivery, which flips between droning and conversational to ethereal and soul-tinged. While searing guitar riffs and eerie synths accent most of the instrumentation, lush strings, whimsical woodwinds and soaring saxophone solos shake up the listening experience. Even Graninger’s stripped-down piano ballads sound fascinating and unpredictable.
Divine Urge was released in October via Congrats Records and Elke celebrated with shows in Nashville and Los Angeles. Graninger didn’t have any more local gigs on the books at press time, but keep an eye on her Instagram for updates.
