Music
Press
“Hearts For Bullets” may come as a surprise to Aryia’s fans; while Jennifer Parkin’s charming EBM-pop remains present, there’s also an ample amount of guitar-centric electo-rock. A tribal march meaty bass drum and handclap snare in “The Gun Song” evokes memories of “Headhunter”, yet it’s bristled synth buzz as well as Parkin’s snarled rap and seductive snide chorus bathe it in pure originality. Though peppered with somber piano interludes and lyrical melancholy, “Girl On The Dancefloor” thumps and clicks to a merry array of retro synth blips and hums, while Parkin flutters between a perky bounce and a crushed lament. Then there’s “Hearts For Bullets”, which may house a mechanized beat, but its power pop chorus capers to whining, fuzzy circles of guitar. Likewise, in “My Poison”, Ayria builds from a bluesy pulse to a meter-thick distorted guitar dirge. Occasionally, tracks like “Blue Alice” act as the glue binding these two sounds. Set to a riotous clatter of loping snares and cymbals, it eases from sing-song rock’n’roll chorus to a buzzing bass synth and gnarled EBM-friendly rap. Though some will surely be taken aback by “Hearts For Bullets” organic angles, this reviewer finds it to be Ayria’s most unique achievement to date.
- Side-Line Magazine
I had the immense pleasure of seeing Jennifer Parkin and her live band perform live last month. At the concert I bought Ayria's new cd HEARTS FOR BULLETS. HEARTS FOR BULLETS is a 53 minutes of ecstasy. Jennifer Parkin hits the listener with infectious melodies and pulsating dance beats and never lets up through out the entire cd. While I loved the last album FLICKER, I thought it had a couple of filler tracks on it. This is not the case with HEARTS FOR BULLETS. The music is a bit more electro-clash than industrial but that isn't a bad thing. There are a couple of mid-tempo songs but for the most part, the album is very upbeat and danceable. I just love how crisp the synth beats are. Jennifer Parkin sounds better than ever. Her vocals easily shifts from being polished to distorted with ease. The cd begins with a fun, catchy song called "Bad List". I love this song for its catchy melodies and lyrics. I always find myself singing along to the song. The same can be said about "Invisible", and "Analog Trash". I honestly can say that there is NOT one song that I did not like. I am constantly listening to HEARTS FOR BULLETS. HEARTS FOR BULLETS is definitely my favorite album of the year. If you can, go see Ayria live. Ayria sounds even better live.
- Amazon.com
Discography
• Plastic Makes Perfect (CD) - TBA April 2013
• Hunger (Digital EP) - 2012
• Hearts For Bullets (CD) - 2008
• The Gun Song (EP) - 2008
• Flicker (CD) - 2005
• My Revenge On The World (EP) - 2005
• Debris (CD) - 2003
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Bio
Toronto based Jennifer Parkin is a performer, singer, songwriter, and the creator of her solo electronic music project Ayria. With a fan base ranging from underground electro, industrial, goth, dance, and pop, people have referred to Ayria as the darker version of Lady Gaga or Madonna. Jennifer Parkin has become a bit of an icon in the underground electronic and industrial music scene since starting Ayria in 2003 after finishing up her Bachelor of Mathematics, with her unique writing, singing and performing style and music with an in-your-face sonic approach that combines electro, synth-pop, industrial, 80’s dance, distorted gritty beats and synths, haunting melodies contrasted with angry distorted chanting all wrapped up with pop structures, catchy hooks and an over the top cyber-anime-goth-princess aesthetic!
Ayria has been intensively and successfully touring across the globe over the past 5 years gaining a very solid reputation for putting on energetic and inspiring live performances with her live keyboardist, electronic drummer, and stompy beats in tow! Ayria has both headlined and supported acts touring fully the U.S.A. (2007, 2008, 2009, 2011), including main touring partners the Cruxshadows who Ayria has been on tour with in both the U.S.A (twice) and Europe, for a total touring span of 9 months with electro-goth legends. Ayria’s also toured home country of Canada, Europe opening for legendary band VNV Nation in 2009, Japan, Russia and Mexico and played notable festival events such as Dragon*Con, Atlanta in 2009 and 2011, Kinetik in Montreal in 2009, INFEST in the UK in 2010 and TRITON FESTIVAL in NYC in 2010. Ayria has also toured alongside bands: Combichrist, Project Pitchfork, and has played shows with Front Line Assembly and Front 242.
Next up, the release of “Plastic Makes Perfect” is scheduled for April, 2013 with an announcement soon to be made by Belgium label Alfa Matrix (FRONT 242, LEATHERSTRIP, etc.). Like the previous highly acclaimed release “Hearts For Bullets”, the new CD will also be produced in Canada by Sebastian R. Komor (ICON OF COIL, ZOMBIE GIRL, BRUDERSCHAFT, etc.) On this 4th release, fans can once again expect a diverse release full of intense danceable and stompy electro songs, with dark melodies and lyrics full of self exploration but a further refined sound as Ayria pushes further ahead to once again create something unique and addictive.
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