Living Thing
Fluff & Gravy, 2024
9/10
The 6th album from the Portland, Oregon artist Anna Tivel, the songs here were penned in 2020, and document both struggles and joy during a very challenging time.
The soft fingerpicking of “Silver Flame” begins the listen with tremendous warmth amid Tivel’s gorgeous and raw singing, and “Real Things” follows with crisp drums and some subtle grooves amid the bright storytelling.
“Kindness Of A Liar” and “Desperation” arrive in the middle. The former comes with much attention to mood via Tivel’s well timed violin, while the latter relies on playful programming and layered voices for a distinct richness.
Closer to the end, “Two Truths” is a bare, folk influenced moment of cozy acoustic guitar and intimate singing, and “Gold Web” exits with a field recording that’s accompanied by mesmerizing guitar and the sort of authenticity that makes it seem like Tivel is singing just for you.
Shane Leonard’s contributions can’t not be mentioned here, as he handles many instruments and helped shape the songs that resonate much reflection and often bring to mind Big Thief or Elliott Smith, which I doubt anyone is going to have a problem with.
Travels well with: Laith- Lightning; The Parson Red Heads- Lifetime Of Comedy