At first exposure, the ethereal “Scars,” by Savarre, sounds like it’s tailor mode to be the soundtrack to the next Bond film. New York based, Savarre is something of a hybrid act, with a number of what some would call, exotic influences. The group is fronted by Shannon Denise Evans, who exudes a natural mystique and inner magnetism. Evans, who counts novelist and playwright among her job titles, co-wrote the piece with Dylan Glatthorn. The two make up the primary songwriting team for Savarre.
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“Scars” isn’t unlike anything you’ve heard before, but it is the type of song most will find to be uncanny and irresistible. Shannon’s vocals are soothing yet feisty, and there is introspection to be found in the listening experience. You could liken the overall texture to something like Enya, which is a fair yet vague comparison. Reticent of their New York roots, Savarre produces work that has an artful and sophisticated slant to it. You could walk into any random NY art exhibit, and chances are you will hear “Scars,” coming through the speakers.
A haunting and somewhat eerie intro brings “Scars,” subtly to life. There’s a rising tension to be found within the relative quietude of the mix. An electronic backbeat gives the piece a slightly European flavor. Evans’ literary background is subliminal, as “Scars,” seems to have been composed with layered meaning. Savarre’s delivery and arrangement is a bit like a puzzle, that’s equally mysterious and motioning.
The vocal is a bit all over the place, but somehow manages to be starkly coherent. You can hear a little Alanis Morrisette in Evans’ ephemerally empowered wail at times. She hits you with notes that you simply aren’t expecting, giving “Scars,” more emotional intensity than initially anticipated. There is little in the way of time changes or musical dynamism. Instead, Savarre opts for a methodical and well-paced approach.
The overall mix and production of “Scars” is competent and intelligent. Savarre knows exactly how to accentuate their strengths, and “Scars” is likely to make you want to hear more from them. There’s a cerebral undertone to the track and the most spontaneous moments belong to Evans. The band has described themselves as “Spectra Rock,” a derivative of Avant Garde. The band’s self-description is more applicable to Evans, as “Scars,” feels more calculated than experimental.
Savarre has said the song is essentially about not being defined by your emotional and psychological wounds. Am I more than my scars, Shannon sings, with a dissonance that many of us will find instantly identifiable. “I wear my scars proudly now,” Evans has stated, “they are markers on a path that led me back to myself.” There’s no denying the kind of gravitas that a song like “Scars,” possesses, but it’s simultaneously easy to understand. We are a generation that is marked and in some ways defined, by our repressed emotional baggage. As we continue to learn more about the fragile and complex nature of mental health, a song like “Scars” is an empowering commentary.
Kim Muncie