Ex:Re

Ex:Re is the solo moniker of Elena Tonra, best known as the frontwoman of the UK indie-folk trio Daughter. Launched in 2018 during a hiatus from her primary band, the project represents a significant sonic departure toward a more experimental, nocturnal, and insular sound.

While Daughter often employs grander, post-rock crescendos, Ex:Re is characterized by its 'submerged' production style, utilizing heavy reverb, muted percussion, and a focus on the 'negative space' of a breakup. The sound identity is rooted in dream pop and slowcore, with Tonra's breathy, close-mic vocals serving as the emotional anchor. Her lyrical approach on the debut album is notable for its focus on behavioral patterns and the 'ghostly presence' of an ex-partner rather than the relationship itself. A pivotal moment in the project's arc was the 2021 collaboration with the 12 Ensemble, which stripped away the electronic elements in favor of Josephine Stephenson's string arrangements, cementing Tonra's status as a sophisticated composer. Critically, Ex:Re is praised for its unflinching honesty and atmospheric consistency, positioning Tonra alongside contemporaries like Sharon Van Etten or Aldous Harding who balance folk intimacy with avant-garde textures.