Cadence
Free Dirt, 2023
9/10
The experimental folk project spearheaded by the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Amelia Baker, the 9 tracks here seek out the feeling of home, and are populated by some excellent musicians who help cultivate a darker expanse.
“Two Heads, Grey Mare” opens the listen with Baker’s eloquent, distinct voice and mesmerizing guitar alongside Phillip Rogers’ agile drumming for the haunting climate, and “Overgrown” follows with a bare, emotive presence of expressive singing and dreamy song craft.
The title track lands in the middle, and recruits Cormac MacDiarmada’s stirring fiddle for the cautious delivery, while “Crow” radiates warmth, and emits much atmosphere thanks to Jake Falby’s well timed viola prowess.
“A Scorched Lament” and “I Will Close In The Midnight” exit the listen, where the former offers a rich and always relevant folk song of self-reflection, and the latter finishes with Baker’s gorgeous voice and gentle piano for the highly intimate closer.
Baker is also joined by Neal Heppleston on bass and Nich Wilbur on organ, and they certainly add much to this trance friendly and doom tinted affair that tips its hat to the Laurel Canyon sound, embraces strings and is full of forthright self-examination.
Travels well with: Mighty Poplar- Mighty Poplar; Joe Troop- Borrowed Time