Widowspeak, a Brooklyn-based duo, debuted their dreamy, indie-pop sophomore album, “Almanac,” earlier this week on Tuesday, Jan. 22.
Comprised of Robert Hamilton and Molly Earl, the band takes various instruments and genres and melds them together to create a unique collection of tracks. The 12-track record is a refreshing spin on the band’s first-album sound and shows that Hamilton and Earl haven’t been resting on their laurels.
“Almanac” is a whimsical mix of musical influences. The sounds that filter throughout the album range from country twang to 90s ambient rock, but what stays consistent throughout the album is Widowspeak’s dependence on guitar effects and Earl’s melancholic, hazy vocals. Altogether, Widowspeak creates a funky indie-pop sound that’s unusually captivating. In all honesty, any of the tracks on the album could easily have been used in a 90s Freddie Prinze Jr. rom-com film, with their vague reminiscence of decades past that is, nevertheless, a breath of fresh air.
The duo’s album reveals the talent that Hamilton and Earl possess as musicians and song-crafters. They seamlessly integrate layered guitar and organ effects into simple beats that pair nicely with Earl’s purposeful, less-than-clear vocals. The best way to understand Widowspeak’s sound is to take a good listen to their album because, for all it’s worth in explaining their sound, it’s rather unexplainable.
“Dyed Wool,” one of the more twangy, upbeat songs, is one of the best tracks on the record. Reminiscent of classic rock band the Eagles’ laid-back sound, the song’s rhythm is a sultry, up-tempo beat that underscores Earl’s breathy vocals. The song takes a simpler route by keeping the guitar-driven sound less synth-like, yet they play up the sound by layering the track with lots of pedal-work. The pairing of the guitar rhythm and vocals would be the equivalent of a Stevie Nicks–Fleetwood Mac–era vibe with “Rhiannon,” except that Earl’s voice isn’t as commanding as Stevie Nicks’. Nonetheless, Earl’s vocals in “Dyed Wool” work well for the track and keep the melancholic tone ever-present.
Another song on the album worth listening to is “Thick as Thieves.” The track is another ode to the Western twang, but the New York duo mix it in with various other instruments to create a whimsical rhythm. Earl’s soft, dreamy vocals lend themselves well to the upbeat rhythm and create an ethereal, lilting vocal ribbon that weaves itself throughout the track. Widowspeak’s melancholic tone doesn’t disappear into the upbeat rhythm, however; the chorus of the track places the otherwise full instrumentation on simmer and focuses on Earl’s hazy vocals. Yet fear not, the playful, nursery-rhyme-like lyrics make up for the melancholic chorus. “Thick as Thieves” is a catchy song that deserves a thorough listen because Hamilton and Earl’s fine craftsmanship is superb.
“Ballad of the Golden Hour” proves that Widowspeak is a versatile music group. With Earl’s vocal range and the duo’s melancholic tone, it’s easy to pigeonhole them. However, this track, which marks the midway point on the album, highlights the duo’s ability to master a more mainstream sound. With its indie-folk sound, “Ballad of the Golden Hour” could have found a nice home on one of the “Twilight Saga” soundtracks. For what it’s worth, that’s not a negative thing in their case; if the “Twilight” franchise has done anything right, it has created some solid soundtracks featuring a great array of artists. “Ballad of the Golden Hour” has a simple guitar rhythm that is used as a strong foundation to layer multiple guitar effects, including a lot of pedaling. Earl’s vocals are a little more solid in this track than many of the others, but she still maintains her unique dreamy quality. The song is another catchy track that brings together instrumentation, vocals and lyrics to create a great piece.
“Almanac” is a refreshing album that utilizes Widowspeak’s strengths yet shows that the band isn’t afraid to take musical risks. The group’s dream-pop, folk sound and hazy, melancholic vocals aren’t for everyone, but the duo presents a strong sophomore album effort that’s worth a listen. Remember that Widowspeak is all about the atmosphere that their guitar effects and dreamy vocals create, which means that “Almanac” is more than just an album to listen to. It’s an experience.