Sister Ray’s new cut “Teeth” smells like a gesture of redemption

Among the most populated cities in North America, Edmonton is the one located furthest north. Ella Coyes, the name behind Sister Ray, grew up here before moving to Toronto, where they are currently based. After the debut album was released last year, the artist returns with a new suave single.

On the track, Coyes explains, “I wrote this song while I was feeling like some of my most fond memories I clung to and preserved through my own fantasy and lore began to slip out of my grasp. I felt betrayed, as if I had dedicated my life to a false prophet. "Teeth" is like a super-cut of nostalgia that morphs into whatever the mid-20s equivalent is of finding out that the tooth fairy isn’t real but hating that you have to know.”

Ella’s family is Cree, their kokum and mushum were both Cree and Scottish. A wide range of cultural influences, with gospel bluegrass and 90’s country playing in the background of their youth, which Coyes firstly approached “with the idea that a lot of the music that we listened to and we would dance to took place for celebration when everyone was gathering.” But the songwriting of Sister Ray only kept the values of the fiddle- tradition rather than the style, and the result shows unflinching songwriting.

A feeling that immediately emerges when listening to "Teeth" - voice, guitar and some very fresh, clean arrangements. Just less than three minutes is enough to introduce us to one of the most emotional voices around. It is surprising how, listening to Sister Ray, one does not know whether to feel pity for the moments of anxiety and despondency laid bare, or simply be grateful for having met this voice.