The Astral Plane
Roaring Girl, 2021
9/10
The Canadian songstress Dana Sipos returns with a rich and often intimate peek into her well thought out song craft that takes help from Nick Zubeck (electric guitar), Mark McIntyre (bass) and Blake Howard (drums, percussion), among many others.
“Light In, Moon On” opens the listen with dreamy keys, as Sipos’ soothing, expressive vocals guide the folk influenced climate, and “Swallow’s Call” follows with mesmerizing acoustic guitar complementing the poetic quality of the warm delivery.
In the middle, “Skinny Legs” recruits a rootsy feel amid brushed drums and strategic keys alongside the eloquent singing that includes Lydia Persaud, while “Daniel” displays meticulous guitar picking and subtle violin from Fats Kaplin, not too mention backing vocals from Danielle Knibbe and Barbara Lica. “Greenbelt”, one of the album’s best, then benefits from vibraphone in a lush, melodic and meticulous landscape of timeless radiance.
“Hoodoo” and “Breathing Barrel” exit the listen, where the former illustrates Sipos’ very versatile pipes and the latter actually brings synth into the equation, making for an electronic meets organic finish that’s quite charming and unique.
Sipos is already revered in her home country, and anyone willing to give The Astral Plane a listen will likely become a fan of her distinct, sometimes haunting and precisely penned folk songs.
Travels well with: Catherine MacLellan- Coyote; Possessed By Paul James- As We Go Wandering