Joanna Newsom is by far one of the most exciting and talented artists to have emerged in the last decade. Her debut The Milk-Eyed Mender was a heart stopping collection of songs that sounded like the oldest folk tales passed down from generations ago, yet at the same time sounded totally new and unlike anything else you had ever heard. She followed it up with the bewilderingly complex Ys, an album which required a lot of work from the listener in this age of 3 minute radio edits, and the equally labyrinthine Ys Street Band EP. But for the avid music fan who has the patience to sit down and immerse themselves in an album, there were bountiful rewards to be reaped.
The same goes for her new album, a stunning collection of songs that is spread over three beautifully presented discs. There is over two hours of music here and most of the songs are between 6 and 10 minutes long, but having been listening to it all day I can safely say the desire to skip tracks is non-existent. Not that skipping tracks or dipping in and out would take away from your enjoyment, because as with Ys this is a long term relationship of an album. It's going to take several weeks, maybe even months before I've unlocked all of its treasures.
And as a taster for those not yet acquainted, here is the song Go Long, which have had on repeat for awhile now, to download for free
(click here!)
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