Anya Mia - Cold + Blue

​Anya Mia

Cold + Blue
self-released; 2027

​​By Dino DiMuro
​

Anya Mia is the performing persona for a terrific vocalist-songwriter from Ontario named Anya Wassenberg. With four Bandcamp releases since 2021, she's back with a 4-song EP titled Cold + Blue. Though superficially jazz-pop, each track is presented in a different style, while all being connected by Mia's powerful, spotlight-worthy voice. 

​Mia explains her circuitous musical journey: "I've gathered many influences along the way, from the classical music my family listened to, and the RnB, funk and pop on the radio as I was growing up; exposure to multiple genres as an adult (and a unique perspective as a lyricist) to my music. These four tracks range from the personal to the existential, each with its own eclectic style." Recording took place at Boxcar Sound Recording in Hamilton, Ontario, with mixing and mastering by Matt Montour.

"Cold + Blue" perfectly matches the song title, with minor-key strings and heartbroken piano. Mia plays all instruments and commands the song with a powerful solo vocal, filled with regrets as she describes being "lied to my heart... it's like poison to a heart that's true." You could almost call it a dirge, except that it's so sadly beautiful. "Corporate Jive" follows with a more upbeat title and actual beats courtesy of drummer Rawle Ski and bass player Justin Bontje. Mia plays Rhodes piano and takes a jazzy lead vocal not far from Bonnie Raitt or Susan Tedeschi. No heartache here; just the sad reality that we're all "cogs in the wheel (until) the next one's already hired, and your name's been forgotten." Just a quick note that I would have enjoyed more time with each track so far. 

"Time Is It Our Enemy?" is the longest song at over four minutes and again features the rhythm section of Bontje and Ski with Mia on Rhodes, with the addition of shimmering backing vox by Pamela Blackwood Marques & Emily K Bolyea-Kyere. The question the song poses is serious, but this track grabbed me the hardest thus far as Mia really takes the reins of the music and my heart. Her vocals especially shine complemented by her backing singers.

​The closing "Lost In The Water" is a baroque, classically-influenced reverie with acoustic guitar by Louis Kirstein and Mia on vocals, keys and even flute (which I was expecting, since she's holding a flute in her photos). This track reminds me how, any time my own music flirts with medieval tropes, my sister says it sounds like Jethro Tull... but that's the kind of deep forest, Elven-queen vibe we have here and I love it.

Well! This is a lovely EP, if a bit too hasty to wrap things up. Mia's got a lovely voice and writes great music. Have a listen!

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