Singer-Songwriter Barleaux’s most recent album Wyld Des!re, has such a unique sound to it, but at first I couldn’t quite pinpoint what exactly it was. My second time through however, it was clear by the first song in. Unlike most indie-pop artists today, she fills the album with her voice, not layers of unnecessary overdubs and unimpressive layering. You hear it right away when you listen to the first note of the first song in “Something,” a gentle hum, which currently builds and sets itself for the entire foundation as the bed the song rides on. It’s that natural, organic production used throughout the album that bring a refreshing sound to the ears and clears it of the over-use of instrumentation that fills most of today’s playlists.
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The albums first song also sets the tone with it’s wide-eyed, optimistic lyrical theme to make for a welcoming sense of innocence as we start out the journey. “Idle Sun” also finds a way to match her vocals up against each other in a very Indian theme with some serious harmonics that really do make you feel like you’re listening to two different sets of voices.
You also hear her take risks throughout the album. She pulls, mixes, and matches her own influences into the mix to go from capturing the very CHVRCHES-like vibes of “Boo,” to going to a very raw and smooth close out to the album in “Traveling Song” and “Wild Desire.”
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Whiskey Rating: 4 out of 5 shots
Barleaux has a very limited number of pale green cassettes for “Wyld Des!re” available here
Get your digital copy of Wyld Des!re here!
Article: Tommy Shackleford
Cover Image: Caroline Bowman
