Air
Self-Released, 2020
9/10
A singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who now calls Chicago home, Xoe Wise knows her way around an indie-folk tune that’s not short on intimacy and eloquence on this 3rd album.
The title track starts with warm guitar before soft percussion enters the dreamy indie-folk setting, and “Cloud” continues the landscape with expressive singing alongside pretty strummed guitar and slight programming.
Near the middle, “Cross Eyed Rose” brings keys and viola into the emotive setting, while “Park Too Close” benefits greatly from Pat McKillen’s backing vocals on the mature, lush atmosphere that doesn’t shy away from pop influences, too. “Bad Idea”, the album highlight, then pairs agile melody with Wise’s spellbinding vocals on what might be the best tune of 2020.
The album exits with “Holiday” and “Late Parade”, where the former moves with hazy beauty amid multiple vocals, and the latter brings orchestral nods and horns from Martin Wenk into the sophisticated yet adventurous finish.
Wise has also dabbled in rock and electronic sounds, but she seems to have found a very comfortable place to reside in via folk territory here, as she delivers with a graceful, heartfelt and timeless appeal that will, or at least should, bring her plenty of new fans.
Travels well with: The Lucky Valentines- Horses; Sarah Morris- All Mine