Jessica Pratt, “On Your Own Love Again” (Drag City, 2015)
This acoustic acid-folk singer-songwriter’s stark, shadowy, ravishing debut was one of the best albums of 2013. This follow-up isn’t as direct, but when it sinks in there’s clearly an extension into new fields of melodic complexity and narrative sound-calligraphy. Great to see a performer so daring take even more risks, and have them pay off.
Try 1, 3, 8
2/21/16

Jessica Pratt, “Jessica Pratt” (Birth, 2013)
First release on Tim Presley (White Fence)’s new label, and it’s a great start. This is stark, voice-and-acoustic-guitar-at-3AM freak-folk that’s genuinely freaky, and haunting. The songs linger in the loneliest places in the heart, and Pratt sings like Jandek and Stevie Nicks’s love child. One of the year’s very best.
Try 1/1, 1 /5.
9/6/13