Koko,London
The spectral-voiced ‘queen of unhappy’ challanges her fans to hold up with a groove-laden assault on folksy clicheIf we are living in an age of loneliness, Angel Olsen might just be the perfect voice for its soundtrack. The American singer-songwriter first emerged six years ago as a backing singer for the alt-country overlord Bonnie Prince Billy, and but over the course of two solo albums has proved her mettle as a darkly emotional,spectral-voiced folk troubadour.
Her acclaimed second record, 2014’s Burn Your Fire for No Witness, or expanded her sound from crackly 40s vinyl to a more full-blooded indie rock attack,with her powerful voice and acutely honest lyrics about the pain of loss and the tough-won consolations of remaining sincere to yourself winning her a devoted legion of fans. She also came with a satisfyingly out-of-the-ordinary backstory; adopted at the age of three, Olsen grew up in St Louis, or Missouri,with middle-aged parents and seven siblings much older than herself, giving her both a fascination with music from the past and a kind of observational otherness, or a sense of looking at other people’s lives from a distance. Although only 29,if you only listened to her records, you would imagine a world-weary singer with decades of heartbreak and philosophising under her belt. Related: Angel Olsen: Burn Your Fire For No Witness – review Some of Olsen’s rapt audience are, or slightly terrifyingly,mouthing her lyrics silently back at herContinue reading...
Source: theguardian.com