Born Heller

Sparse but cherished, indigenous-sounding folk. Beautiful, raw, ancient. (well, actually, they’re from Chicago.) Harp, mandolin, upright bass, and vocals. Naked, with vocal tremors and string squeaks very apparent. High, clear but wavering female vox, sounding almost foreign (she’s American, though). (she sounds like Joanna Newsom’s voice grew up 10 years) Sounds uneasy and old and wise; melodies are sparse but precise. Kind of precious, but for some reason I love it anyway.

1. (2:35) halting, precious waltz
*2. *(3:38) midtempo, understated, uneasy; traveling arpeggios.
3. (2:45) “we’re lost in the mountains”; mournful and hesitant
4. (2:22) insistent dissonance; full and chaotic
5. (4:31) shyly welcoming, bright harp chords and vox; bass enters and it grows
6. (3:14) hesitating slow dance melody over bass sustained;
*7. *(1:29) add male vocals; more uptempo and fuller sound; still uneasy
*8. *(2:37) comforting chord progression; olde English-style folksy tune
9. (3:43) like a flower fairy song with glittery strums, but slowly desperate
*10. *(1:38) bass begins; faraway ancient chanteuse vox; several pauses.
11. (4:58) stop-n-start mandolin, then two voices like serene cowboys.

—Reviewed by Mandy (la chanteuse)