This was an unexpected treat and an early Christmas present. Gwenifer Raymond’s second album, Strange Lights Over Garth Mountain, was released a couple of weeks ago but I only became aware of it this week because of its inclusion in Uncut magazine’s best of 2020 list.
I loved her first album and this new album represents a significant evolution of her extraordinary talent. Compositionally, it is denser and richer, still aligned with the American Primitivist tradition pioneered by John Fahey and Robbie Basho, but she is now beginning to incorporate more influences from English folk and there are elements of flamenco creeping in as well. I have been listening to this album on repeat this week and I find it utterly captivating. A simply wonderful talent.
One of the more interesting album discoveries for me from 2020. Keeley Forsyth’s Debris was released back in January but only came to my attention a few weeks ago due to its appearance on a number of best of year lists. Adventurous both lyrically and musically, her background in dance and acting is also apparent in her onstage performances. Debris was an album born out of a period of depression and its writing was a cathartic process for Forsyth. It doesn’t sound like a conventional singer-songwriter album and its lyrics are more subtly allusive than directly confessional. It’s an album that takes time to fully absorb, for its layers to unravel and unwind, but it’s time very well spent. A very interesting artist whose career will be worth following, I feel.
tweber wrote: ↑Sat Feb 13, 2021 7:45 pm
Been listening to this a lot recently. Recorded last year during the UK's lockdown, stripped back and special recordings of some great Nick music
That is exceptional o so many levels. Wonderful album.
