Beirut’s ‘A Study of Losses’ Is an Impressive Feat
Zach Condon’s (Beirut) commission to compose music for a Swedish circus works well as an album but serves better as an artistic statement.
folktronica
Circuit des Yeux’s Glorious New LP Is Modern-Day Alchemy
Circuit des Yeux’s work, including her singular voice, conjures the grand epics, the metamorphoses that the ancients whispered and sang about.
Amen Dunes Dabbles in Electronics But Delivers Human Connection
Death Jokes finds Amen Dunes tackling big issues and exploring influences from his youth, but the connection with his listeners still creates deeper meaning.
Gold Panda’s ‘The Work’ Is a Warm Aural Embrace
Humanity and kindness emanate from The Work which shows off Gold Panda’s agility and skill in the studio. The effect is hypnotic and captivating.
Talkdemonic Unleashes Soft Explosions of Sound on the Shimmering ‘Various Seasides’
Kevin O’Connor’s first album under the Talkdemonic moniker since 2011, Various Seasides, is imbued with all the warmth of a fuzzy sonic blanket.
Beth Orton Embraces Her Past on ‘Weather Alive’ to Shape Her Future
Having only put out five albums in the past two decades, Beth Orton’s Weather Alive embraces her electro-folk past while embracing a weathered, gorgeous future.
Maggie Rogers Asks NYC Crowd to ‘Surrender’ to the Music
Creating space to honor intense feelings was the goal of Maggie Rogers’ NYC performance and she achieved it. The crowd left with a sense of “feral joy”.
Pictish Trail’s ‘Island Family’ Immersive Encounter With Place and Time
Born of quarantine isolation, Pictish Trail’s Island Family explores connections to place and time. Its creativity offers a challenging authenticity.
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The 15 Best Folk Albums of 2021
These 15 folk albums are the year’s best because they represent folk music’s expanding roots while best serving a unifying, underlying hope.
Nick x Nati’s “Broken March” is Soul-Stirring Indie Folk (premiere)
“Broken March’s” primary melodies pull from folk influences, with piercing ethereal synths recalling Nick x Nati’s combined experience in electronic production.
Ben Howard Becomes More Abstract on ‘Collections from the Whiteout’
Ben Howard’s Collections from the Whiteout, produced by the National’s Aaron Dessner, presents a refracted take on the singer-songwriter album.
The Prize Fighter Inferno’s ‘The City Introvert’ Is a Marginally Rewarding Return
The Prize Fighter Inferno’s The City Introvert has a safe superficiality, combined with a few moments of out-and-out cringe, making it above-average at best.