White eyes pale skin I know you’re my dead end
Sharp teeth black hair show me it’s only up from here
Disguise don’t lean in watch me vanish in the face of fear
Taraneh – which, fittingly, means “song” in Farsi – stands out as a unique thread. It’s the solo moniker of Persian-American artist Taraneh Azar, a multi-instrumentalist and producer. With her roots in Iran and her branches reaching out from the tree of the Big Apple, Taraneh’s music is a dark multi-genre extravaganza. It’s like she threw rock, pop, and a dash of world music into a blender and out came something you can’t help but nod your head to. Whether she’s strumming a guitar, tickling the ivories, or twisting the knobs in the studio, Taraneh is a one-woman musical army, marching to the beat of her own drum – sometimes literally.
In an era where sticking to one musical lane is the norm, Taraneh shatters expectations. Her latest single, Face of Fear, is a battle cry for change, practically shouting at the universe: “You’ll give me what I want this time.” Imagine a world where grunge, no wave, and shoegaze intersect with modern deathrock – think of the rock section at Tower Records between 1988 and 1991. From this chaos comes Tareneh’s dark, alluring, and enigmatic alternative rock sound. She doesn’t just cross genre boundaries; she obliterates them, leaving behind a trail of soul-stirring music.
“Face of Fear” is a deep dive into a pool of intense longing, identity crises, and a vibe that’s one part mystical, two parts enigmatic in this narrative of transformation, sprinkled with a bit of the otherworldly. Dark? Sure, but the kind of darkness is intriguing, like a mystery novel you can’t put down. Taraneh spins a story of desperate yearning, the kind that comes with the tricky business of human connections. It’s a soundtrack for those moments when you’re figuring out life, one guitar riff at a time.
Face of Fear‘s music video, directed by New York-based Nat Cherry, is a dazzling blend of lo-fi charm and glam rock attitude. Cherry captures the essence of a high-energy live band performance, infusing it with a transgressive, vibrant flair that’s as bold and unconventional as glam rock itself. The video’s gritty, retro VHS aesthetic adds an extra layer of nostalgia, creating a captivating visual experience that complements Taraneh’s dynamic musical style.
Watch the video for “Face of Fear” below:
Find the single “Face of Fear” on Bandcamp here, and stay tuned for more from Taraneh.
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