New Yorker Joan Wasser has previously worked with such luminaries as Nick Cave, Anthony & The Johnsons & Sebadoh. This single is a beautiful, raw collection of 3 vocal led, relaxing tracks.
The thing I like most about this record is it's effortless lo-fi quality. Not in the recordings as such, which are crisp, but the acoustic guitar buzzes on the fretboard, the violins squeek & her voice cracks in such an artful way. It is as close as you can get to having her in the room with you. I love records which are produced with this ethos, & this has turned out to be among my favourites of late.
Track 1 "The Ride" is upbeat, in a stripped down way. electric piano, laconic double bass, mellow drums & classic structure. Her voice is sublime. Track 2 "We don't own it (solo)" will pull at any exposed heartstrings relentlessly. Just voice, acoustic bass & acoustic guitar crying out to be heard amongst suffocating silence. Understated brilliance which floats with a grace rarely heard.
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Track 3 melds a violin, harp & piano in a gossamer light track. Very evocotive, a haunting lament "show me the light & I'll go there" leaves you wanting more. Delightful.
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