Colleen Rennison’s Persephone is a raucous, reflective, personal journey through the pantheons of roots and rock music

Photo Sasha Galyanova

By Johnny Kosmos

After a long, self-imposed exile, Vancouver’s Colleen Rennison is back with her latest solo record, Persephone. And oh baby is she back. 

Produced by local Vancouver legend, Felix Fung of Little Red Sounds, Persephone has Rennison sounding her absolute best. It seems she has made the most of the few years since her band, No Sinner, met its premature and untimely end, writing one of the most solid records to come out of Vancouver in years. 

Her band is on point, seamlessly transcending the gap between old school soul and modern rock. Rennison herself is bringing that old school Janis Joplin/Amy Winehouse wail she became so well-known for in No Sinner. Musically the album lives somewhere between timeless jazz and musical theatre numbers, and Sound & Color era Alabama Shakes. Rennison’s acting chops continue to inform her performances and she brings that trademark showmanship to every track, particularly the title track.

Colleen Rennison’s Persephone is a raucous, reflective, personal journey through the pantheons of roots and rock music. A truly fun and thought provoking ride from beginning to end.