Brooklyn label Captured Tracks duo Widowspeak, comprised of Molly Hamilton and Robert Earl, are set to release their third album ‘All Yours’ this September. It’s been over two years since their country-tinged EP ‘The Swamps’, which was a deliberate, “bridge toward a new sound”.
Previous album ‘Almanac’ was recorded in an old barn in New York’s Hudson River Valley, and felt very much Mazzy Star meets Fleetwood Mac, with the natural world acting as its inspiration. Kevin McMahon of Lucky Pierre also leant his expertise on production, which compounded and complimented everything they were trying to achieve after losing a member of the band.
Title track ‘All Yours’ has the intrinsically delicate gossamer vocals from Hamilton,, the gentle twanging chords and lovesick lyrics are a nod to their country roots of Tacoma, Washington, and are indicative of their slight veer in direction. ‘Narrows’ is marginally melancholic, but on the whole the album seems to have twitched to a much lighter temperament, as though the fog has lifted.
‘Stoned’ has that Best Coast adolescent feel, a throwback, perhaps to their debut-country-psych roots. ‘Girls’ is ridiculously countrified, with a harmonica loop and blues guitar background. Simplistic and beautiful lyrics with its coming of age overtones make this track easily one of the best on the album. ‘Borrowed World’ is a flourish of magic - an instant pleaser. Lead single ‘Dead Love (So Still)’ starts out in a quintessential Widowspeak-fashion, and then spirals into a psychedelic riff.
Widowspeak have gathered a tangible richness and depth to their sound as they have evolved, expertly harnessing and executing spine-tingling moments at every turn. ‘All Yours’ is consistently fresh, sharp and interesting. It's easily their best records and one of the most stunning albums you will hear this year.
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