Elevator Songs
Octoverse, 2026
9/10
The Grammy-winning vocal group Roomful of Teeth and singer-songwriter/composer Gabriel Kahane come together for an album that surrounds an interdimensional hotel beyond time and space, where each track spotlights a different member of Roomful of Teeth.
“Prologue: Speaking In Tongues” opens with the harmonizing vocals radiating tremendous beauty sans any instruments, and “Room 304: Newborn Plague” follows with Kahane’s soft synth amid a gentle beat and the expressive singing that welcomes Eliza Bagg’s meticulous violin.
Halfway through, “Room 1801: Rack Of Time” sees some very high notes thanks to Cameron Beauchamp alongside the strategic harmonies and stirring strings, while “Entr’acte: The Machine Room” emits flowing keys from Kahane that suit the graceful violin of the quick instrumental.
Getting close to the end, “Room 1212: Not Even The Dead” injects ambience into the lush and powerful album highlight, and “The Elevator: All That Is Solid” exits with intimacy and emotion via the mature keys, gripping vocals from and spiritual angle.
A listening experience unlike anything else out there, the focusing on an individual singer with each segment helps make for a choral, folk, classical, acoustic and rock influenced effort that’s nothing short of captivating.
Travels well with: Third Coast Percussion- Standard Stoppages; Christopher Cerrone- Beautfort Scales