Have You In My Wilderness

Hands down one of my favorite albums of 2015. Awash with lush strings and synths, always anchored by Holter’s distinctive vocals, sometimes buried in effects. Holter is a classically trained musician and it shows. The album thoughtfully combines cues from freak folk with experimental electronic effects and the sonic hallmarks of full-bodied, celebratory classical music. All tracks fantastic. RIYL Joanna Newsom, Lotus Plaza, Julianna Barwick

1. (4:09) *** Feel You - Lush, complex instrumentation. Nice variations in dynamics and passages in which a host of different instruments are more prominent. Tight bass groove. Strings and Holter's joyous vocals augment this track's uplifting atmosphere.
2. (3:54) Silhouette - Delicate. Very freak folk vocally. Reminiscent of Marissa Nadler. Ethereally weird ambient sounds and ah’s in the background.
3. (3:58) How Long? - Melancholic and/or melodramatic. Deeper, still ethereal vocals. Heavy strings buried in effects. The term “weighty ghost” comes to mind. Sort of drags on towards the end, with a constant lyrical trope of running from the horizon.
4. (6:47) ** Lucette Stranded on the Island - Mid-tempo. Natural and ambient sounds, yet symphonic in a way. Odyssean. Celestial piano cascades through at times. Gorgeous.
5. (3:07) Sea Calls Me Home - Rushes onwards. Whistling. Seems like a restlessly joyful call to action. Fairly repetitive lyrically. Sax solo begins ~1:50. Concludes with a surprisingly gentle interplay between synths and whispered vocals.
6. (4:13) Night Song - Similar to track #3. Somber stillness. Sounds like Reminder-era Feist.
7. (3:29) * Everytime Boots - Faster-paced. Brief, quieter break in the middle of the song. A nice change from a lot of the melancholic similar-sounding tracks earlier in the record.
8. (6:16) *** Betsy on the Roof - Slow-burner. Anguished vocals about something “she said”. Heavy piano. Incredibly beautiful.
9. (6:37) *** Vasquez - Twinkling synths and hazy vocals lightly ensconced in effects. Some gentle, exotic-sounding drumming. Electronic effects, silvery bassline, subtle groove. Foggy, jazzy instrumental passage starting at ~3:52. What a ride.
10. (3:37) Have You In My Wilderness - Calls especial attention to the vocals. Reminded me instantly of Beach House's Devotion. Lovely ending to a melancholy, intense, haunting, stunning album.