Rae Spoon: Love Is a Hunter

Rae Spoon
Love Is a Hunter
Saved by Radio
2010-08-03

The latest release by transgendered Canadian singer-songwriter Rae Spoon marks a shift from his country music roots to emphasize glitchy melodies and dance beats, with fragile lyrics of romantic longing and soul-searching, inspired by a long sojourn in Europe. There’s still a good smattering of acoustic-driven indie folk to be found on Love Is a Hunter, like “Lighthouse” or the ironically titled “Death by Elektro”, but to be honest Spoon is best served by distinguishing himself from being yet another of the interchangeable, sensitive, indie guitar-strummers whenever he incorporates the electronics into his introverted songwriting, even if the results aren’t as cohesive. One aspect of the record that never fails to be affecting is Spoon’s soft, airy voice, which makes the words cut delicately close to the heart, a trait that functions most powerfully on the “you and me against the cruel world” ballad “Joan”.

RATING 6 / 10