Eliza Gilkyson, Secularia

Eliza Gilkyson, Secularia

The veteran Australian singer-songwriter weaves together a collection of “secular hymns.” Gilkyson establishes outright her distrust of organized religion and sets herself far outside the parameters of a traditionally anthropomorphized God over the course of the first few songs. That frees her up to unself-consciously ask questions of a spiritual nature and explore her own conceptions of faith, gratitude and even divine guidance, independent of religious affiliation, throughout the rest of the album. Gilkyson never names the presence(s) that inspires her faith, but she’s found a way to sing about whatever ineffable is-ness she has found, well enough to connect with listeners of many different spiritual persuasions. Highlights: “Sanctuary,” “Emmanuelle," "Supermoon"

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Courntey Marie Andrews, May Your Kidness Remain

Courntey Marie Andrews, May Your Kidness Remain This young old soul sings simple songs of timeless wisdom that could have been delivered in any genre; Courtney Marie Andrews has chosen folk-country stylings with some indie pop flavorings. The Phoenix-born Andrews has a voice that rings out clear and sonorous and heartfelt, and leaves the twang to the guitars. The first two songs are sheer perfection and at least half the songs approach it; she’s at her strongest when she’s extolling the core virtues of her message — love, kindness and self-awareness. Highlight: “May Your Kindness Remain,” “Lift the Lonely from My Heart,” “This House”

Saba, Care For Me

Saba , Care For Me The most passionate rap album of 2018, Chicago rapper Saba’s sophomore effort channels the artist’s heartbreak over the senseless, random murder of his best friend into nine enthralling compositions that only deepen in their impact on repeat listens. The songs aren’t all about this loss — and in fact the album displays a tremendous range of tone, style and subject — but they are all informed by it. Every song is meaningful and each song is its own thing; it’s Saba’s examination and elucidation of his own life that gives the album its momentum and its cohesion. Saba’s lyrics are deep, they’re soul-bearing, they’re funny and they’re profoundly humble and self-effacing for a rap album. And for all this focus on the lyrics, the music is every bit as striking. Mutli-instruentalist Daoud and producer DaeDaePivot blend largely piano-based jazz sounds with trap sounds for a feel that’s both organic and modern. Saba raps a lot more than he sings but his flo...

Odetta Hartman, Old Rockhounds Never Die

Odetta Hartman , Old Rockhounds Never Die Probably the most successful carriage of old-timey American folk music into the electronic era yet, Odetta Hartman’s sophomore album achieves greatness though juxtaposition. The roots music doesn’t pretend to be modern and the synths don’t pretend to be organic; they intertwine, by turns subtly and dramatically. Hartman plays many instruments, most notably the banjo, digging deep into her familial Appalachian roots. Her own field recordings lend an extra air of old-fashioned charm. Partner / producer Jack Inslee respectfully girds and surrounds all of that with electronic percussion and waves of synth which build steadily throughout the record. The only way this album could be better is if it were longer. Highlights: “Sweet Teeth,” “Misery,” “You You”

Album Reviews by Stefan Wenger

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