Weyes Blood – And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow
Always emotionally direct, Natalie Mering lets us in once more on And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow, the second album in a trilogy
Right from the first line of the first song, you remember how Natalie Mering is one of the best around for perfectly poising a line to make you stand up and take notice. On And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow, she lets you back into her world with her warm, lugubrious tones riding high in the mix, setting up a confessional, intimate feel to the entire album.
The second part of a trilogy, fundamentally it’s an album about anxiety and loneliness, not a million miles away, thematically or sonically, from the previous effort Titanic Rising. The lackadaisical soft rock backing with her vocals centre-stage remains, and veers into new territory on the downbeat disco of Twin Flame. Each song is a six minute paean to introspection and regret, always emotionally direct before giving way to meandering wordless crooning, as if she retreats back having exposed too much.
The pandemic is the ghost at the feast, lyrics dotted throughout about the deep personal upheaval we have all endured both publicly and privately these past two years. Penultimate track The Worst Is Done lifts up the mood with wistful optimism, setting up the stage for the third and final album of this heart-rending saga.
Listen to: It's Not Just Me, It's Everybody, Hearts Aglow, The Worst Is Done