Crying Light, The

Antony and the Johnsons, The Crying Light

Avant-garde pop. If you haven’t already heard Antony’s voice there is no way to describe it with mere words. Suffices to say, it is one of a kind: rich, quivering, and high-pitched (at times downright feminine). His music is bluesy, androgynous, and inimitable, and this album is a glorious chamber-pop work. Recommended to anyone with soul. No FCCs. Recommended tracks: 2, 5, 6

1. Contemplative piano ballad, vox very clear and rich, paired with swoony strings. [4:24]
2. Chorus-like doubled vocals, dramatic build up. [2:42]
3. Wistful ballad with very little instrumentation (just a bit of piano and brushwork). [5:34]
4. More upbeat, soulful and funky track. [2:48]
5. Antony’s voice sounds like an angel’s, paired with simple guitar instrumentation, strings. Very echo-y and surreal. Midtempo. [3:18]
6. Best track on the album. Absolutely beautiful, jarring ballad. Haunting piano melody and hypnotic vocals. [4:00]
7. Long, dramatic track with strings and a theatrical feel. [6:20]
8. Distorted, heavier song with layered ambient vocals. Bluesy. [4:35]
9. Another beautiful, pensive track. Very slow, with no instrumentation, just low, dreamy background vocals. This song is on repeat in heaven. [2:50]
10. Melancholy, spiritual track with lots of strings. [2:58]