Lael Neale
★★★★
Acquainted With Night SUB-POP. CD/DL/LP
Woman plus Omnichord equals rebirth for Virginian singersongwriter.
CLEARLY, the sombre arrangements for Neale’s Americana-leaning debut
I’ll Be Your Man didn’t satisfy its creator: the album isn’t even listed on her website, and all subsequent recordings were scrapped until she discovered a vintage Omnichord.
Acquainted With Night is 95 per cent Neale and her electronic companion, a simple but spacey combination of harp, harmonium and tinny drum pre-sets that matches Neale’s delicate Appalachian voice for shivers and warmth.
Who knew the world was lacking a country-folk version of Broadcast until now? Though recorded at twilight – hence the title – the album levitates with light and serenity: for every How Far Is It To The Grave, there is a Sliding Doors & Warm Summer Roses. “Why can’t I love someone?” aches Every Star Shivers
In The Dark, but by the end, Neale insists, “I’m gonna love someone.” Perhaps we all need an Omnichord in our lives.