The productivity of Adrianne Lenker is rare. In 2019 she released two list-worthy albums with her band Big Thief (UFOF and two hands), followed in late 2020 by a twinkling solo twin album (songs and Instrumental† Now there is a daring (because long) double album with Big Thief. Beautiful again.
By Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You Eight songs have been revealed online since August. Now the full blow is available: twenty songs and not a weak moment in sight.
The band returns on ‘dragon‘ back to its folk roots, in songs like red moon and Dries Roses complete with fiddle† It sounds as if the band members have sat down in a circle to record Lenker’s songs unadorned. There were four sessions, at four locations in the US.
Folk is never dusty or even traditional at Big Thief. Lenker’s songs sizzle with emotion, even the smallest. Her fragile, semi-high vocals help with that; there is always grinding intensity.
Thus unfolds an album that is great in baldness, with here and there fantastic guitar playing by Buck Meek, who in love love love and Blue Lightning crunches and grinds like Neil Young in top form.
Big Thief
Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You
doll
4AD/Beggars
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