On her new single Dreams are a Nightmare, rising artist Lenn combines electronic, pop, and R&B influences with soothing vocals and moody lyrics to create an atmospheric sound that has put her on the map in the electronic space. Musically, she has come a long way from the Christian music she grew up surrounded by. Lenn’s influences now include names like Bon Iver, Ben Howard, FKA Twigs and James Blake, and she recently joined Icarus on their sold-out 2022 UK tour, playing venues including London’s Village Underground. Lenn could certainly be making a return to the iconic venue if her debut EP, set for release in 2023, continues the high standard of Dreams are a Nightmare, the first single to be released.
“I wrote ‘Dreams are a Nightmare’ about the struggle of chasing after what you truly want. So often in life the things that offer the most joy also leave us at our most vulnerable.” – Lenn.
Calming synth chords blend to provide a backdrop over which Lenn depicts her internal struggles, enveloping listeners in a uniquely dark, dreamy tone. Lenn moulds Dreams are a Nightmare around the melody, using slick production, layered vocals and laid-back beats to create momentum within the relatively slow track and produce emotive, soulful harmonies.
The artwork on the single is similarly captivating; a close-up photograph conveys Lenn’s journey of “anxiety, heartbreak, and deferred hope” which has inspired her music. It has been used to heavily promote the single across social media, hinting that we can gain a good idea of what to expect from Lenn in future from Dreams are a Nightmare. If the track is anything to go by, Lenn will provide music to look forward to in 2023.