The Gift
Bubblewrap, 2021
9/10
Quiet Marauder align themselves with several Canadian musicians here, including Jake Nicoll, Darren Browne and Ariel Sharratt, as the backing vocalist Kadesha Drija steps to the front of the stage on this cultured and rich acoustic-folk effort.
“Pilot: The Fire” gets the album off to a warm start as dual gender vocals harmonize alongside gentle acoustic guitar, and this cautious formula continues to the folk influenced “Will I Remember To Remember?, where expressive singing is both poetic and playful.
In the middle, “His Love Interest” displays intricate acoustic guitar as deep male vocals complement the dreamy climate, while “The Future Is Bright, The Future Is Orange” showcases swift piano alongside some pop ideas in a retro delivery. “The Domestic Accomplices”, one of the best tracks present, then emits a charming indie-folk quality that’s as creative as it is timeless.
Residing near the end, “Let’s Run Into The Flame Together” is a sweet and eloquent display of subtle horns amid a psyche-pop playfulness that’s quite soothing, and “Epic Plot Twist: Extinguished” exits the listen with much beauty as hushed singing from Drija’s flawless pipes have us hanging on every note.
This is Quiet Marauder’s 4th album, and they’re one of the few outfits today that completely reinvents themselves with each effort. A concept album about a teenager who lost her entire family to a house fire, you never know what you’ll get from the minds of Simon M. Read and Jonathan Day, but it’s always captivating, unique and worth many, many listens.
Travels well with: Tele Novella- Merlynn Belle; Moon And Bike- One