There is an extraordinary solitariness in Joan Shelley’s captivating voice, a voice that seems drawn from another time.
There is also mystery and emotion, fragments of stories left hanging. Like her voice, her lyrics are gripping and evocative, yet elusive.
In the spare chamber-folk settings of her fourth solo album, her follow-up to last year's minor breakthrough Electric Ursa, Shelley continues to finesse her songs, sampling the past but not living in it.
She is joined by guitarist Nathan Salsburg and other guests such as Will Oldham, and they all work under the guidance of fellow celebrated Kentuckian Daniel Martin Moore.
Salsburg’s deft guitar ornamentation is essential to the album’s sound.
On key tracks such as Brighter Than the Blues, the title track and Jenny Come In, his work vividly colours Shelley's pristine voice.
