Julie Byrne

The Greater Wings – Ghostly International

Ruminations on life, loss, and love in a folksy tone that recalls early Joni Mitchell – the new album by Julie Byrne, The Greater Wings, is a lush and tender exploration of the connections we make and hold onto. Acoustic guitar with minimal production places the focus on her voice and the powerful words within each song. I hear a tinge of Sufjan Stevens in the mood – and Weyes Blood – as they are kindred spirits in producing spacey songs of solitude.

I love the added synths and harp on track 4, “Summer Glass,” as it guides the song into a dreamy cloud of calm and peace. There is an intimacy in the words that is emotional and grounded, making it a standout track on the album. The title track and first on the album, “the Greater Wings,” is melancholy (dealing with the passing of a dear friend) yet there seems to be an air of renewal in the acoustic guitar strums and Bryne’s whispered vocals. Track 9, “Hope’s Return,” starts as a slow-paced dream pop tune, synth reverb guiding the pace and anchoring Byrne’s voice, with flourishes of violins darting into the space mid-song. “Moonless,” track 3, is a slow piano ballad that also showcases violins – the tempo barely goes above a plodding pace.

Certainly not an upbeat album of summer jams, but perhaps one that is better suited for the quiet dusk hours while relaxing in a cooling breeze.

My favorites: 4**, 1**, 9**, 3**, 6**, and 2*. Track 5 is an instrumental.

– (h)earwitness