Waxahatchee “Saint Cloud”

Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutch­field, is an artist who always seems to grow from album to album. Her releases are always full of emotive and personal songs. This, somewhat remarkably her fifth album, is no different.

It begins with huge drums on “Oxbow”, but the track itself is a fairly sombre opening to the album, melodic but downbeat. Together with tracks like “Arkadelphia” and “Ruby Falls” they perhaps form the perfect soundtrack to the world of anxiety we find ourselves living in.

However, there’s plenty of light and hope on the album as well. There’s a good time country swing to “Can’t Do Much” and “Lilacs” which sound similar to Lydia Loveless (another really talented musician). There’s a more electronic, almost pop, shine to songs like “Fire”, together with “Witches” these songs will surely appeal to Jenny Lewis fans.

But really, we should be beyond the point of comparing Waxahatchee to other artists. The fact is that with songs as powerful and strong as “Hell” and title track “St Cloud” she is becoming a leading light in music. She brings the traditional sound of Americana into the modern world.

The poignancy of this album really means it is the perfect accompaniment to the contemplative nature of the world at the moment. You can certainly guarantee it will be featuring very high on many ‘best of’ lists at the end of the year.