The Jaguar, The Raven, & The Snake
Self-Released, 2024
9/10
Listen to The Jaguar, The Raven, And The Snake
Originally released in 2023, this deluxe version of the Vermont duo Dwight + Nicole’s The Jaguar, The Raven, & The Snake recruits a bonus track to accompany the Americana/indie soul/roots sound.
The warm spirit of “The Next Go-Around” starts the listen with hand clapping and spirited electric guitar amid Nicole’s soulful pipes, and “All For You” follows with Dwight’s smooth pipes guiding the intimacy and grace.
Deeper into the listen, the rhythmic and lush “Angel” benefits from crisp drumming and Nicole’s stirring voice that emits a gospel mood, while “Into The Shadows” carries a light buzzing and glowing ambience of beauty.
“Lift” exits the original disc with bright horns and a dynamic rhythm section that illustrates another avenue the duo excel at, and the bonus track, “Saying Goodbye”, recruits R&B nods, some funky gestures and a soulfulness that’s powerful, frisky and timeless.
Ezra Oklan plays drums and Leon Campos handles keyboards here, and together they illuminate Dwight and Nicole’s inimitable talents across 12 songs full of chemistry, maturity and playfulness.
Travels well with: Rachel McIntyre Smith- Honeysuckle Friend; Kylie Fox- Sequoia