Tomb

What a better way to start the year than with another sad indie folk album from Sufjan Stevens' Asthmatic Kitty Label?

'Tomb' is highly reminiscent of Stevens' haunting 2015 masterpiece 'Carrie and Lowell' with a similar subtle yet beautiful production quality. I do feel however, that the production may be a tad too subtle on this album. Where on 'Carrie and Lowell' we were swept away in nostalgic ambience every time Stevens took his fingers off the guitar, here we are only graced with the occasional keyboard and everything, including the guitar, seems to take a backdrop to Angelo de Augustine's lilting vocals. It gives the album a sparse and gorgeous tone but the intensity of emotion is dulled a bit by this minor change in sound.

That being said, this album is still a treasure and an achievement for an up and coming artist. I am excited to see what Angelo de Augustine will do in the future.