The sixth album from New England’s Marissa Nadler is a moody affair that would be more appropriate to a chilly, Antipodean July. Still, as we’ve recently been reminded, a heatwave can be as uncomfortable and threatening than a bitterly cold winter. And, going by the haunting, painful experiences recalled on this collection, Nadler had more on her mind than the weather when she wrote these songs.
The darker Nadler’s work, the more powerful her force. Midway through the album, Dead City Emily is the album’s weighty anchor, a spine-tingling tale of doomed love. It’s just one of several tales of despair and hard drinking, but the key to the songs’ effectiveness is that they never get too desolate as to alienate. Much of this is due to Nadler’s gorgeous voice, though this stark collection also benefits from some sensitive, subtly textured production from Randall Dunn, who usually works with heavier drone and black metal acts such as Sun O))) and Earth.
Nadler is a focused performer with a remarkably consistent output and July won’t disappoint her followers, though it also makes for an ideal entry point for those unfamiliar with her work. Admittedly, there are no grand hooks that will lure you in on first listen; instead, July weaves its magic slowly and then snares you unforgivingly in its jaws.
BY CHRIS GIRDLER
Best Track: Dead City Emily
If You Like These, You’ll Like This: Tramp SHARON VAN ETTEN, In My Own Time KAREN DALTON
In A Word: Austere
