Vever
Ears & Eyes, 2022
8/10
The pianist and singer Laura Loriga returns with her 4th album and first under her actual name, and she brings along Otto Hauser (drums), Ran Livneh (upright bass), Josh Werner (electric bass), Anni Rossi (violin), Stefano Michelotti (Nichelharpa, dilruba, electric guitar) and many guests for the very creative and unique 9 tracks.
“Mimi” starts the listen with atypically manipulated strings, as Loriga’s pretty, mysterious vocals guide a very dreamy, climate, and “Door Ajar” follows with a more ominous tone, where meticulous upright bass from Frank Meadows and soft drumming add much allure.
In the middle, “Citizens” recruits trumpet from Enrico Pasini to complement the folk influenced and experimental tone, while “August Bells” is a calmer affair with a distinct beauty amid the electric guitar thanks to Ben Seretan and Janis Brenner’s soothing backing vocals.
Further still, “Passes The Flame” benefits much from Aaron Rourk’s winds on the poetic album highlight, and “The Sun Rises Where It Rises” exits the listen with Gareth Dickson’s acoustic guitar complementing the twinkling piano and charming intimacy.
Loriga and company create an absorbing body of artistic song craft here, where each track finds its own inimitable path of unclassifiable textures that will appeal to the those with adventurous ears.
Travels well with: Kee Avil- Crease; Andrea Parkins- Two Rooms From The Memory Palace