I'm Alone, No You're Not (Moon Phase Edition)

I'm Alone, No You're Not is the label debut of indie folk outfit Joseph, a honey-voiced trio of sisters who hail from Portland, Oregon. Singer/guitarist Natalie Closner had initially tried to make a go of it as a solo artist before recruiting younger twin sisters Allison and Meegan to form this dynamic family band who take their name from a small town in the Northeastern part of their home state. They introduced themselves with 2014's Native Dreamer Kin, a rustically modern set of tunes with a sound that bore a striking resemblance to Swedish sister duo First Aid Kit, albeit with a third harmony sweetening the mix. It's not a huge surprise then that for their ATO Records debut, they paired up with First Aid Kit's producer Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, She & Him) to further enhance their beguiling pop-folk appeal. The sisters' powerful voices remain at the nexus of this production which is significantly more robust than on their self-released debut. Ultimately more pop than folk, tracks like "Canyon," "S.O.S. (Overboard)," and "White Flag" are packed with rhythmic and melodic hooks aplenty, each boasting choruses that linger after just one listen. Elsewhere, the more subdued ballads like "Planets" and "More Alive Than Dead" are still quite grand in scope, pairing the group's rich vocal blend with ambient textures to create a dreamy, lush environment. ~ Timothy Monger

オレゴン出身の3姉妹バンドによるATO移籍後初のニュー・アルバムは、ブライト・アイズのマイク・モギスがプロデュース!性格の違いも窺える三者三様のヴォーカルが入れ替わり立ち替わりでリードを取り、ガーリーなフォーク・ポップを展開しています。壮大なメロディーと躍動感のあるアコースティック・サウンド──かつてマイクの手掛けたファースト・エイド・キットを、グッと大陸的にした感じですよ。
bounce (C)中井幹代