I was meant to post about Chelsea Wolfe a while back, then foolishly proceeded to totallly forgot about her until an appearance in Stereogum's "18 Dark Bands To Watch In 2011" provided a welcome reminder of her bewitching talent.
A singer / songwriter based in Los Angelos who released her debut LP 'The Grime and The Glow' late last year (so late I think it's far to include it as a 2011 release) with another 'Apocalypse' due later this (both via Pendu). If you were after a quick summation of her music, the album titles do a pretty apt job, quickly telling you that this isn't going to be the album you reach for when the Grandparents are round, for this is some of the most challenging, disturbed and haunting experimental noise-pop you'll likely to hear any-time soon, and an album that for every bit challenging is equally compelling.
It is pretty hard to pigeon-hole the sound (and you know bloggers like to pigeon-hole) as there's such a vast variety of music styles, though an underlining characteristic is the moody, claustrophobic atmospheric drone that prevails throughout. The raw, fuzzed-out dirty blues sound of "The Whys" and the repetitive drum beat and distorted riff of "Moses" recall a PJ Harvey that has signed her life away to the occult. Grime is apparent on the murky sludge and wailings of the damn right fucked up "Deep Talks" and there is a shift of lo-fi ambient folk on "Cousins of the Antichrist", religious undertones and the dark, morose imagery is never too far away.
Then there are some tender, beautiful moments. The repetitive piano melody of "Benjamin", my highlight of the LP, sees Chelsea's ethereal soft whispers howl like wind over the melancholic waltz, it's utterly spellbinding. Likewise, the acoustic bare-boned "Halfsleeper" is an almost traditional folk tale tainted by an otherworldly backing vocal. It's impossible not to mention an iTunes bonus track, a cover of "You Are My Sunshine", as far removed from the original as possible, transformed into seven minute track far removed from the uplifting 40's sing-along, starting innocently enough as a slow and relaxed acoustic number, it's not long before the ever present hiss, ghostly wail and eerie random noises take over the track, where the distant sounds of a music box playing close in a fittingly chilly finale.
There was a French tour in March but I don't think she's reached the UK yet, I'm sure that will change, it'll be a must see when she does. 8.5 / 10.
Order 'The Grime and The Glow' in the UK from Rough Trade, limited to 500 and I can't imagine they'll be there too long.
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