Highlights: Heavy Hands, Winter Solstice, Hector, Blank Maps
“Doom soul” is the way
the lady herself (singer-songwriter Al Spx) describes her style, and it would
be hard to argue with that. Whatever is going on musically as well as lyrically
on I Predict A Graceful Expulsion
comes off extremely resonating – but intensely, insistently cold (hence “Cold
Specks”). Cold and gloomy. If this description doesn’t sound too exciting (and
it shouldn’t), let me just tell you that this is one of the most original,
singular debut albums you will hear all year.
Even though the LP is
filled with most gorgeous, affecting tunes, the whole thing is largely about the
singing. Which is, in a word, remarkable. Not easy to pin down, it’s somewhat
reminiscent of people like PJ Harvey and, amazingly, Tom Waits (obviously I’m
talking about her manner of singing,
not her actual voice). Soulful and
possessing some unmistakably creepy, creeping, deep undertones that really get under your skin. Especially when
drenched in haunting piano lines and effective, understated violins. It’s hard
to overlook such beguiling, mesmerizing intros like the ones on “Hector” or
“Blank Maps”.
I Predict A Graceful Expulsion is a near-perfect collection of eleven dark, slightly
bluesy ballads. Not spooky, just moody and dark. And sounding quite unlike
anything that is released these days. I’d go for a nine if it contained another
two or three songs as outstanding as “Winter Solstice” (which could almost beat
Nico’s “Winter Song” in terms of those windy, wintry vibes), but this is a fantastic achievement.
8/10
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