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CRITIC REVIEWS
90
Her songwriting talent and willingness to experiment was already evident on 2017's Play 'til You Win, but the perfect balance of exploration and poignancy on Overview make it a significant step forward for her.
85
For all of its brainy machinations, what An Overview on Phenomenal Nature never forgets to do is make a human connection
83
Filled with people, stories, and dialogue, the New York songwriter’s second album flows like an emotional breakthrough, tying together disparate observations into a serene and unified vision.
80
Woodsist associate exercises admirable, compassionate restraint.
80
Lasting only an economic 33 minutes; on this form, she could pull off a double album.
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1y
80
It's a near-complete reimagining of the New York songwriter's sound; an iridescent folk-jazz odyssey dizzyingly rich with detail and craft. At only seven tracks, it feels as vast and accomplished as a record twice its length.
80
This is solipsism of the highest caliber: gentle, hypnotic, fastidious, but above all else, hard to resist.
80
Cassandra Jenkins meditates on life’s fragmentation and nature’s healing properties on her immersive new album, An Overview on Phenomenal Nature.
79
The Ramble ... sums up the themes of Phenomenal Nature with ease; it’s an album about our fractured self conception and the ways we try to put it all back together.
2021 was a pretty mediocre year so far, but everything changed when I saw this release. "An Overview on Phenomenal Nature" is the second release by singer Cassandra Jenkins, and is a spectacular album.
The sensation I had while listening to this record was as if it had opened my head, poured honey on my brain and massaged. It is so delicate, melodic, consistent, that it is as if it takes you to another level, where there is no concern and you just need to delight in the wonderful ... read more
This was an absolute experience. This album asked for my hand and took me for a ride throughout this sunset-driven seaside city and I'm just gonna be in the backseat lying down.
Built from soundscapes, conversations, and a loose saxophone, Cassandra Jenkins creates music that explores everyday feelings with acute clarity. With grand moments of lush instrumentation and quiet melodies that float in the air, Jenkins manages to create songs both intimate and expansive. The ultimate strength of the record is the way Jenkins can construct entire worlds through small interactions. The music feels mundane in a productive and energizing way; everything is an opportunity for ... read more
i've listened to this about ten times and i can't decide if i'm conflicted or not.
to begin, the shorter structure of the whole album makes it's entirety feel a touch underdeveloped. half-baked at some points. there's two songs in particular where when the energy fizzles out, it takes an INCREDIBLE nosedive. and i'm just left incredibly bored...
...until the song afterward comes in and it's some of the most calming and stunning indie singer-songwriter stuff i've heard since 2018? the hypnotic ... read more
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Track List
| 1 | Michelangelo 3:29 | 81 |
| 2 | New Bikini 4:22 | 81 |
| 3 | Hard Drive 5:27 | 90 |
| 4 | Crosshairs 4:03 | 82 |
| 5 | Ambiguous Norway 4:20 | 80 |
| 6 | Hailey 2:53 | 75 |
| 7 | The Ramble 7:08 | 78 |
Total Length: 31 minutes
Year End Lists
| #4 | / | Loud and Quiet |
| #5 | / | Under the Radar |
| #6 | / | Our Culture |
| #7 | / | BrooklynVegan |
| #7 | / | Uncut |
| #8 | / | No Ripcord |
| #9 | / | Rough Trade (UK) |
| #10 | / | Stereogum |
| #11 | / | God Is In The TV |
| #12 | / | Exclaim! |
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Added on: January 6, 2021