Map The Dark
Self-Released, 2025
8/10
The Canadian duo of Jordan Coaker and Kirsten Rodde-Clarke, as Quote The Raven the pair explore love, loss and memory via these 8 folk and Americana tunes.
“Back In Spring” leads with the pair’s harmonic singing alongside Geoff Arsenault’s precise drumming that carries plenty of folk-rock flavor, and “Oh Lena” follows with punchy drums and Coaker’s warm guitar that balances beauty with grit.
“House On Fire” occupies the middle spot and makes great use of Ronald Hyne’s stragetic bass in the lush climate that’s rhythmic, while “Borrowed Time” is a pretty moment of flowing melodies and heartfelt singing that helps make this the album’s best.
“Tell Me Tell Me” and “One Bed” exit the listen. The former offers a stirring intimacy in its poetic demeanor, and the latter is strong on ambience and, later on, a powerful delivery of cinematic qualities.
An album with vivid storytelling, Quote The Raven use both haunting and anthemic moments that are never lacking emotion and honesty.
Travels well with: Grace Pettis- Down To The Letter; Sam Robbins- Bigger Than In Between