Ora Cogan - Hard Hearted Woman
Sacred Bones Records
Released on March 13th, 2026
As the wind blows strong and rain falls fast outside my window, I’m reminded of British Columbia— the place I was born, and the place I long to return. Born in Nanaimo, I’ve found myself drawn to the western island, almost like a siren-song of energy that pulls me closer with every move I make. It’s no surprise that Hard Hearted Woman, the newest release by Ora Cogan, was recorded there.
Currently based out of Nanaimo, Cogan’s music blends the classic folk twang of an acoustic guitar with a bass-heavy intensity rarely seen in the genre. This sound, along with her soothing voice, perfectly encapsulates the aforementioned siren-song that draws me to Canada’s west coast.
Several music videos were released alongside the album, including the tracks “Division” and “Bury Me”. Both music videos rely on a black-and-white aesthetic and feature slow interpretive dances and a narrative that feels fragmented and delicate, feeling like taking a glimpse into a diary and exploring someone’s own private world.
“Honey”, which was written in response to anti-trans legislation in Canada, is a tender track that promotes resilience in the face of bigotry and adversity. This is seen through the beautifully written lyrics, “Love is stronger than hate / Love is alive / Don’t just take back the night / Set it on fire”.
Cogan’s approach to songwriting has been described as melding “traditional, experimental, and psychedelic into something wholly unique,” and this couldn’t be shown more than in Hard Hearted Woman. This album lacks convention yet retains a consistent sound throughout. By the end of “Honey”, the first song on the album, you can’t help but tap your feet and loosen your shoulders, getting lost in the albums dream-like vibe.
My personal favourite track is “Believe in the Devil”, towards the end of the album. It begins with this bluegrass-style finger picking guitar style before Cogan’s dreamlike vocals take over alongside a keyboard and several other elements. As someone going through a spiritual journey, the lyrics “Believe in the devil / You know he’s on my side” especially rang true to my ears.
If you’re a fan of the Pacific Northwest, folk music, Twin Peaks, psychadelia, or even ballroom jazz, I would suggest you open your ears and give this album a listen. It has beautiful lyricism, trance-inducing instrumentals, and a haunting aesthetic. It’s the kind of album that you’ll find yourself enchanted by, and before you know it, it’s over. It’s not necessarily a short album, but the way the songs blend between each other almost feels like one continuous, eternal song.
Cogan has been making music for 16 years now, and what a blessing it is to discover her music so late into her career. Hard Hearted Woman has made me a fan, and when I long for the day that I return to my home on the island, I’ll be sure to put the album on, close my eyes, and drift off to a different place.
