Ex:Re is the solo debut project by Elena Tonra, (vocalist and guitarist of the British band Daughter), now known under the name of Ex:Re, pronounced ex ray. As stated on the artist’s Spotify profile, Elena chose Ex:Re to mean ‘regarding ex’, her album was originally intended to be a break-up album, and also ‘X-Ray’, as a way to look inside.
The self-titled album was released on 30th of November, the release was announced on 26th of November via Daughter’s social media with the release of the lead single “Romance” that features a music video with visuals directed by Antonia Luxem. Ex:Re’s debut show was on Wednesday, 28th November at London’s Hoxton Hall.
The album was produced by 4AD’s producer Fabian Prynn. The writing took a year but the recording process lasted only a few months, she explained that the record was made with both sense of urgence and a cathartic need.
Elena said of the album:
“Although the record is written for someone, a lot of the time it’s about the space without that person in it. In every scenario, there’s either the person in memory or the noticeable absence of that person in the present moment. I suppose it is a break-up record, however I do not talk about the relationship at all, and he hardly features in the scenes. He is only felt as a ghostly presence.”
“This album’s made up of a lot of things I haven’t said to the person, these are deeply personal stories that I’ve for some reason just decided that I need to tell everyone.”