NOVO AMOR

Birthplace ALLPOINTS 6/10

Much like Bon Iver or Sufjan Stevens, Ali Lacey – who performs as Novo Amor – has the sort of voice capable of reaching such levels of fragility and delicacy that you worry it may tear or dissolve. On “Seneca” it wails like a wind above lush production and neatly woven guitar parts, with rising strings matching the vocal pitch. Toots of brass on tracks such as “Emigrate” recall Beirut and the album as a whole feels a little locked into that mid2000s introspective folk-pop period. However, while influences are obvious throughout, the production, tender compositions and thoughtful sonic layering make for an immersive and intricate debut.