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CRITIC REVIEWS
90
Adrianne Lenker’s songs seem to effortlessly flow out of her, suggesting even better things are yet to come.
1mo
90
If anything, this feels more like a companion piece, a window into that cabin rather than its own separate record. If you wish you had been there, this is the best way to feel like you were.
1mo
90
Instrumentals ... makes for good company, reminiscent of that friend playing across the room from you, complete with clinking frets and audible smiles.
1mo
90
As with ambient music, it’s easy to undersell the difficulty of constructing a piece of the music which is tranquil, rather than simply dull.
88
They are not showy pieces, but the depth of her relationship with her instrument is clear.
1mo
85
It seems unlikely that writing and recording songs and instrumentals allowed Lenker to fully heal her heart, but in among its living, breathing atmosphere are signs of new life and new hope.
80
Soothing balms following the drama of Songs.
2mo
80
On instrumentals, Lenker settles down from songs' busier thoughts, indulging in the stoicism within to achieve moments of serenity, if only briefly.
1mo
80
What Lenker’s most recent work reveals is that, like the rest of us, she is trying to find beauty and appreciation in the small moments, marvelling at her surroundings while mourning the current moment.
1mo
80
The companion album instrumentals consists of two extended tracks. The first, for indigo, is a scrapbook of strums and chords that Lenker can use as a sampler to construct fuller songs in the future.
1mo
80
A looser, less magnified affair, consisting of collages of the exploratory, freeform acoustic guitar improvisations that each day of the recording sessions would begin with. They showcase a different side to her creative process, but it’s undoubtedly on Songs where the emotional impact is located.
1mo
80
The corresponding second album, Instrumentals, is even more enthralling. Instead of getting swept up by Lenker’s visceral songwriting, she showcases patience and intuition.
80
The best moments on 'Songs' feel like realisations occurring in real time, but 'Instrumentals' is all about the process of seeking things out.
80
It’s a fresh take on the Big Thief singer’s fascination with the harmony of music and environment, and a deep breath after the trauma and devastation of songs.
70
The instrumentals may offer ambient comfort for late, late nights or the sequestered.
1mo
60
Instrumentals is a collage of unhulled, wood-smoked acoustic guitar improvisations.
2mo
‘instrumentals’ is challenging. a two song album in and of itself is bold; then, Adrianne and Phil make the WHOLE album instrumental? that’s crazy risky, and it bodes well.
the first three minutes of “music for indigo” feel as elating as an 80s coming-of-age film.
i’ll mention what i heard in the background: doors opening, alarm clocks, rain, chimes, metronome, doors sliding, birds calls, etc.
during the first instrumental, “music for ... read more
the first three minutes of “music for indigo” feel as elating as an 80s coming-of-age film.
i’ll mention what i heard in the background: doors opening, alarm clocks, rain, chimes, metronome, doors sliding, birds calls, etc.
during the first instrumental, “music for ... read more
Two long relaxing instrumentals, perhaps a comedown from the emotional weight of "Songs". In a way it reminds me of some of the more delicate post rock attempts from the early 2000's (Mogwai specifically, who I've been listening to lately, or maybe even Bardo Pond). Truth is, I don't know that I'll put this on much in the future though.
Gonna score that other album separately.
Gonna score that other album separately.
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Year End Lists
| #89 | / | Rough Trade |
Track List
- music for indigo
- mostly chimes
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Added on: September 2, 2020