Chelsea Wolfe
Abyss (Sargent House)
LA-based Chelsea Wolfe has oft been described as a “neo-folk” singer-songwriter with a penchant for all things brooding, dark and ethereal. OnAbyss, she shifts even more in the direction of gothic-doom-industrial-what-have-you, bringing us a whirlpool of madness and light.
Described in a press release as a musical score to “the hazy afterlife”, this album is a real downer, and I mean that in the best way possible. Produced by John Congleton (St. Vincent, Swans), Abyss begins with the industrial “Carrion Flowers”, a raga-type piece that ebbs and flows over programmed drums and Wolfe’s signature dreamy vocal. “Crazy Love” is folk-noir, featuring an out of key guitar and cinematic production that mimic the feeling of falling into a dark dream. “Iron Moon” is pure sludge and satin, flirting between the doom-psych undertow and an eerily sweet folk song.
While this album may not be for the faint-of-heart, Wolfe has once again proven that she is the ruler of her own realm: the princess of West Coast darkness, and the high priestess of doom.
Rating: ★★★★
