abysskiss continues to keep Lenker's songwriting hot streak going — more than enough to tide us over until the next Big Thief record.
Hell-On is incredibly dense and eclectic; each moment sonically plays up Case's lyrics and her inimitable delivery — which can turn from tough to vulnerable, to casually wry and to siren-esque within a few lines.
There are only six tracks here, but they cover massive lyrical ground ... Combined with spare arrangements that highlight hypnotic acoustic strums, moody keys and even a some fuzz-drenched rock-outs, the result is an emotionally nuanced meditation on death that is both heartbreaking and hopeful.
Heynderickx's music sounds fresh and improvised, as much about process as it is about poetry and craft.
The last two Pistol Annies albums ranged from very good to brilliant; this album seems to be a breakthrough, a masterpiece that extends their already formidable gifts.