Mirror Touch
Self-Released, 2020
8/10
The sophomore album from the New York City violinist, composer and vocalist Concetta Abbate, Mirror Touch takes a unique approach thematically, where each song derives inspiration from a perspective offered by a collaborator and friend, as women’s mental health issues are explored with much poetic grace.
“Creatures” starts the listen with cautious strings as Abbate’s sweet vocals guide the very graceful, cinematic quality to the folk ideas, and “Madrigal” follows with playful picking as a playful classical setting unfolds in just one minute.
At the midpoint, “Building” is a bare, breath display of subdued beauty, while “Overflow” moves cautiously, with a pretty landscape as playful instrumentation accompanies the timeless spirit. “Bit Of Rain”, one of the best tracks present, then manipulates time and space well where busier moments are met with calmer ebbs of precision.
Near the end, “Secrets” takes on a darker approach with no shortage of dynamic instrumentation from the players, and “Forgetful” exits the listen with just the moody violin complementing the expressive singing.
Abbate handles 5 string violin and vocals across the album, while Benjamin Engel, Leanne Friedman, Vasko Dukovski and Charlie Rauh contribute percussion, flute/alto flute, bass clarinet and guitar respectively, and together it unfolds in a very moving display of neo-folk and modern classical song craft that few could replicate.
Travels well with: Joanna Newsom- Divers; J. Pavone & String Ensemble- Lost And Found