A Dark Murmuration Of Words
Thirty Tigers, 2020
9/10
Listen to A Dark Murmuration Of Words
The always impressive UK artist Emily Barker returns with a solo album, where she explores topical issues like racism, sexism, climate change and the misinformation surrounding economic progress in her inimitable and thought provoking fashion.
“Return Me” starts the album bare and elegant with Barker’s pretty, soaring pipes guiding the string friendly setting of the love song, and “Geography” continues the sophistication with a light Americana touch across the soulful and stunning climate.
Near the middle, “Where Have The Sparrows Gone?” recruits a percussive quality amid the light and reflective tone that builds into a fuller display of timeless folk tendencies, while “Strange Weather” strips the setting bare with expressive, sublime beauty amid the fingerpicking. “When The Stars Cannot Be Found”, one of the album’s best tunes, offers a chunky banjo and gentle backing vocals as Barker mirrors the greatness achieved by Natalie Merchant.
At the end, “Any More Goodbyes” is a louder delivery of collaborative singer-songwriter prowess, and “Sonogram” exits the listen with warm piano anchoring the intimate, stirring lullaby.
Barker is supported by Rob Pemberton, Lukas Drinkwater, Pete Roe, Misha Law, Emily Hall and Greg Freeman on this 4th solo studio album, and while she embraces many of the hallmarks of Joni Mitchell, her sharp attention to detail and eloquent wordplay set her apart from the legions of folkies today, while earning her a spot right near the top.
Travels well with: Ana Egge- Is It The Kiss; Shook Twins- Some Good Lives