From their press release, “On “Blood and Water,” Carola's meticulously crafted lyrics tackle themes of injustice, freedom, conflict, love and war, and humanity's place in the universe. Carola comments, "It is an electrifyingly powerful album, deep with meaning, nuances and suggestive connections. Like a journey or an experience, where you can really delve deep into possible hidden emotions to feel, experience and hopefully release. “Blood on Water” is the human experience, with references to some of the literary classics and common themes. We didn’t set out to write this kind of album, it emerged. It embodies so many elements of life, history and humanity.  This is an emotional, truly heart felt album.”

“Juliet” is the first song. It starts off with piano and the somber but sultry voice of Carola. The music is fairly straightforward, but it’s about the emotion she packs into the performance. You can feel the storm brewing…the winds pick up…the skies darken…and then it reaches a downpour in the chorus. “Arms of Love” is another pensive offering, and so far, the mood they paint is in deep shades of blue. The song flows smoothly and emotionally from start to finish. “Alice Come Home” has meaty bass notes as well as some psychedelic properties, and the groove swings a little more. There are some elements of hope interspersed, the kind of hope that you would have seeing a loved one finally return after a long time gone. “Blood on Water” has bluesy tones, with singing leads. The piano and guitar notes combine like the namesake…blood will generally float in water because it is less dense. This song drips with emotion and longing.

“Social Disaster” is the first peak of bright sun in the rain soaked grey skies. The music is tense at first, and then the tension wanes as distorted guitars enter. This album has a lot of substance so far, and I am enjoying this jaunt especially. “Easy Feels” is a piano led song that dips back into the grey again, and sad nature of the music is only bested by the raw emotion in Carola’s vocals. Try coming out of this song the same person you were when you entered it. “Chronicles of a Celestial Soul” is darker in scope, with heavy riff strikes, and a sweeping crescendo after the second chorus. The lead guitar work at the end is fantastic also. “Maker of Me” is much quieter, and allows Carola’s vocals to really sink in, and they are sweet, and sultry. “Nothing Left to Say” in fact, says it all. When your last argument has been spent and you are so tired, you are done, and that’s the feeling I get here.

“This Garden” closes the album, and it’s a slow and pleasing closer. The garden represents the act of caring for a garden can represent how humans care for each other, and can be a space of comfort, reliance, and hope. Overall, the interplay between melancholy and the album’s character creates an immersive listening experience that feels deeply personal. There’s a sense that the band has poured every ounce of their emotion into the songs, giving the music a soul that lingers long after the final track fades. It’s an album that invites you to sit with your feelings, to embrace the melancholy, and to find strength in the richness of its character.