Big Thief – Double Infinity

After parting ways with their long-time bassist, indie-folk royalty Big Thief sees their folk-rock roots lulled to a low frequency, filtered through a more contemplative lens. With sparkly windchimes, we enter the woodsy gates of Double Infinity; alongside cascading guitars, Adrianne Lenker's airy vocals guiding us through memories on opener Incomprehensible, a hopeful ode to ageing.

Lenker's acclaimed songwriting style is captured and bottled. Talk-singing mixes with rich storytelling in Los Angeles, celebrating the sparkling rarity of an inseparable bond. The refrain ‘you sang for me’ triggers soaring, ethereal vocals. If expecting poetic subtlety, on-the-nose lyrics catch us off guard, from the somewhat repetitive Happy With You or bluntly lustful All Night All Day. 

A band reconfigured brings new collaborators. Grandmother, a reflection on generational love and time’s transience, features Laraaji on zither and haunting backing vocals. Pain is productively turned into art; ‘Gonna turn it all into rock and roll'. The band’s rock edge however feels muffled and muted, with hazy folk numbers bleeding into each other. Even if subdued, light folk lullabies channel old-school Big Thief in this journey to homecoming and cosy familiarity.

Listen to: Los Angeles, Double Infinity, Grandmother