A Pillar Of Salt
Cooking Vinyl, 2021
9/10
This is the 5th album from the acclaimed singer-songwriter Noah Gundersen, and it’s another batch of moving and captivating songs that showcase much diversity while still being rooted in his sublime and flawless singing.
“Laurel And Hardy” starts the listen with gentle piano and soft, expressive singing from Gundersen, where a poetic climate unfolds with a powerful and gorgeous dreaminess that’s immediately gripping, and “Body” follows with a fuller display of electronic ideas amid the warm keys, agile drumming and, of course, Gundersen’s soaring pipes that complement the beats.
Closer to the middle, “Exit Signs” showcases a cautious version of singer-songwriter prowess amid the buzzing textures that touch on today’s version of indie-rock, while “Atlantis” brings in Phoebe Bridgers for the pretty duet that’s quite eloquent and emotive. “Blankets”, one of the album’s best, then gets a bit darker in scope while recruiting playful electronica.
Further still, “Sleepless In Seattle” is a soothing and stirring track with aching pedal steel in a more acoustic focused template, and “Always There” exits the listen with mesmerizing piano, slight ambience and Gundersen’s stunning singing in a hazy, surreal finish.
Gundersen sequestered himself in a cabin to make A Pillar Of Salt, and that certainly contributes to the cathartic nature of the listen. An artist who bares his soul in his work, if you aren’t yet familiar with this Great Northwest natives craft, you’re missing out on one of the most luminous talents that exists today.
Travels well with: Penny & Sparrow- Finch; Joshua Radin- The Ghost And The Wall