The Doldrums
Self-Released, 2025
9/10
The Canadian folk singer Ellen Braun makes an impression with this debut album, where the 10 songs touch on co-parenting, soul searching and stifled creativity that comes from an emotional and poetic angle.
“Doldrums” opens with strong attention to atmosphere, where Braun’s expressive voice suits the warm acoustic guitar before Stef Schneider’s drums enter, and “Gravity” follows with Mike O'Brien’s fuzzy electric guitar amid poetic singing and a crisp, folk-rock presence.
In the middle is where “Map Reader” and “On The Line” land. The former benefits from Sarah Hiltz’s gentle piano via the intimate landscape, while the latter pushes and pulls with emotion and grit that incorporates well timed synth.
Arriving near the end, “I See You” offers a bare but impactful delivery that showcases Braun’s alluring voice alongside much beauty, and “Nashville” exits with Sage Reynolds’ upright bass, which complements the sing-alongs.
The songs were written over five years and flow together seamlessly, as Braun’s vision and execution is one of authenticity and memorableness that takes influence from Indigo Girls, Neil Young and Kim Richey.
Travels well with: Don Amero- Broken Record; Skydiggers- Dreams & Second Chances