The Offering
Self-Released, 2020
9/10
A Colorado resident and activist who by day is a trauma therapist, the songstress Xanthe Alexis brings soaring vocals and slow burning melodies to the 8 tracks of the very well thought out song craft of The Offering.
The title track starts the listen with pretty, expressive vocals from Alexis on the powerful and melodic folk and country influenced tune that makes an immediate impression with its subtle twang, and “Sullen One” follows with warm piano guiding the ballad setting that also recruits electric guitar near the end.
At the midpoint, "Compass” enlists some electro-pop ideas into the cautious, mysterious landscape, while “Moon” takes this a step further with strong percussion amid a healthy dose of chilling song craft. “Siren”, one of the album’s best, than turns minimalism into a refined art as Alexis explores her vocals with incredible range alongside a firm beat and delicate guitar.
The record is bookended by “Watch Him Fall” and “Home”, where the former offers soft horns and a playful quality amid the thoughtful landscape, and the latter moves with a soulful, emotive delivery you won’t forget anytime soon.
Although Alexis penned this effort in pre-Covid times, it sure seems like it could soundtrack isolation, self-examination and just wanting to mull things over with its compelling brand of Americana that’s eloquent, stark, sometimes intense and entirely captivating.
Travels well with: Thin Lear- Wooden Cave; Alias Wayne- Faux Pas