Calliope Music Review of the Week
Adrianne Lenker - Bright Future
A Delicate Heart Licks its Wounds, Tasting All That is Bittersweet
Singer-Songwriter, Adrianne Lenker empties the bottle of tears, pouring out a graceful vulnerability amidst the warm soundscapes of Americana and Folk. A pervasive featheriness follows the record as dainty acoustic guitar mingles with lo-fi piano, plucking banjo, and an elegant Western string section. These instrumentals play along peacefully, embracing a minimalism that allows Lenker's voice to steal the show.
Lenker's airy soprano is awkward and anxious, yet infectiously assertive in its melancholy. The subtle wavering and soft consonance of her voice grants an elevated whimsy, almost childlike in its delivery. At times, one can even hear a faint laughter in her voice, suggesting a newfound humor stemming from somber topics.
Speaking of, these topics cover an umbrella of intricate sentiments, including childhood loss, inconsistent relationships, and unconditional love, not only for one's partner, but for life itself. The poetry used to describe this message is basic, but strong, emphasizing an intimate imagery of Earth's naturalities and deep human connection.
This naturalness is echoed through the production, being rather stripped-back and lo-fi. This allows for a heightened intimacy, but takes away some kick that could boost fallow progressions, as seen on the tracks, 'Real House,' and 'Evol.' On occasion, the wispiness of such trimmed production leaves the atmosphere feeling empty, subtracting from the comfort the acoustics bring in so well. This, along with a few of the tracks missing finishing movements, ushers an unwanted iciness to warm portraits.
However lukewarm the manufacturing of the record can be, it still lends to an impressive closeness. Lenker delineates poignantly, sulking in the soft clicks of piano keys, and shining in the light of soaring violin. In the breadth of her elegiac timbre, Lenker truly presents sadness as a gift on this record.
Best Tracks: Sadness As A Gift -- Free Treasure -- Vampire Empire -- Already Lost -- Donut Seam -- Ruined
7.5/10
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