Unillusion
Toy Canteen, 2025
9/10
This 12th album from the composer, storyteller and actress Rebecca Pidgeon marks a return to the acoustic ideas of her debut, where Fernando Perdomo, Andy Studer, Eszter Balint and Matt Tecu are in attendance.
The warm acoustic guitar and expressive singing of “By My Butterfly” opens with Tecu’s flowing drums adding much to the folk-rock template, and “Dasharatha” follows with Studer’s well timed strings helping make for sophistication amid the hint of grit.
Later On, “The Pleasing Waters Of Jahnavi” offers a pretty moment of rich singing and swirling guitar, while “Drumlins” makes great use of Perdomo’s strategic bass and spoken word via the mesmerizing album highlight.
Deeper yet, Balint’s meticulous violin complements the charming melodies and graceful textures of “Monkey Man”, and “Myself” exits with Pidgeon’s poetic singing alongside the dreamy backdrop and precise layering.
An often minimal effort, Pidgeon embraces raw and emotional ideas into a very mature and intimate peek at a highly articulate mind.
Travels well with: Karen Haglof- One Hand Up; Pamela McNeill- Wave After Wave