Wilsen - Sirens (2012)

Tracklist

01. House On a Hill
02. Dusk
03. Lady Jane
04. December
05. Sirens
06. Paper Ships
07. Springtime
08. Prelude
09. Anahita

Much has been made of Wilsen’s unique combination of dream pop and folk, which has been dubbed as “dream folk.” Yet there is a much easier way to describe the NYC-based singer-songwriter: really, really talented. Her debut album, “Sirens,” is eerie, confident, and a fantastic first step for this bright artist. “Sirens” opens with “House On a Hill,” which is highlighted by some strangely ominous whistling over a melodic guitar line. Wilsen then moves to her folk roots with “Dusk.” Here, her vocals softly shine while even softer instrumentation ornaments the dueling senses of comfort and apprehension. Throughout the album, Wilsen experiments with different sounds and styles, although her overall sound keeps faith to early Leonard Cohen’s sparse, pensive approach. The guitar work on “Lady Jane” has an almost Middle Eastern feel, while the vocals on “Springtime” bounce with a jazzy swagger.
Closing “Sirens” is the ten and a half minute epic, “Anahita” (see the video here). I’ve already sung the praises of this track, yet its breathtaking power cannot be overstated. The moment halfway through the song when the stunning guitar line gives way to aural chaos is one of the best recorded musical instances of the year.

Tamsin Wilson - vocals, guitar and ukulele
Johnny Simon Jr. - guitar, pump organ
Dan Drohan - drums, percussion
Drew Arndt - bass, glockenspiel
Jeff Fettig - auxiliary instrumentation
Pat McCusker, Nathan Reich, Paul Vasilik - backin

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