Weyes Blood

Titanic Rising

Mering’s soaring vocals and diaristic lyrics anchor the music in the here-and-now while preserving for itself a timeless quality that makes Titanic Rising one of the best albums of 2019 so far.

Given its extensive breadth of stylistic differentiation and enormous crop of influences, Titanic Rising’s most obvious skill lies in just how easily it all fits together.

She is the spokesperson for generation Y. Which in a way cleverly juxtaposes with her o nostalgic 70’s production style of folk and art rock.

Titanic Rising may draw inspiration from the past, but it's ultimately a clear-eyed look at love, catastrophe and hope that's perfect for the present moment.

‘Titanic Rising’ harnesses convention and refashions it into something singular. At once a document of this “wild time to be alive” and an escape from it, it’s often remarkably good.

‘Titanic Rising’ harnesses convention and refashions it into something singular. At once a document of this “wild time to be alive” and an escape from it, it’s often remarkably good.

It’s a strangely addictive mix, comfort-food nostalgia that telegraphs knowingness without sarcasm, parody or airquotes.

Ultimately, it is Titanic Rising’s fusion of ancient and contemporary, 70s singer-songwriter tropes and electronic burbles, that convinces; the beauty Weyes Blood offers has its eyes wide open.

Much like the power of the big screen, ‘Titanic Rising’ presents an immensely elegant journey to a different place and time; in equal parts beautifully delicate and powerful.

Titanic Rising is a leap forward for the self-described “nostalgic futurist,” yet Mering’s core musical gifts remain intact.

The most powerful tool at Mering's disposal is her voice, a rich, clear bell of a voice that pierces through the album's pianos and lethargic strings.

Titanic Rising is a rewarding listen, and although a few later tracks fade a bit too quickly, the atmosphere and imagery created through the first two-thirds create an album that is definitely worth spending some time with.

It pushes forward too: the way the lush electronics of Movies give way to nervy modernist violins; the clattering percussion of Everyday. Glorious.

Titanic Rising sounds cathartic and triumphant.

On ‘Titanic Rising’, her fourth release under the Weyes Blood moniker, the LA-based musician has drifted further away from the psych-folk and ’70s Laurel Canyon of her early years and towards soft rock.