The apparent chaos and wreckage depicted on the cover of Ana Egge's new album is symbolic to the way there appears to be a concerted attempt to shake things up in the content offered. If you are in the camp of BETWEEN US being the entry point to the expanding back catalogue of this singer-songwriter then heads may be scratched as to where to place such an innovative and random roaming album. To get the best out of this eleven track release advice is to let it do the leg work and take you to places feeling right at the point of each listen. While on the surface of not being a likely candidate to flourish in the car CD, the mood and tone of Egge's approach to music making pierced the allotted zone to sink deep into the subconscious cavern stored to the brim with sounds that leave their mark.
From a scattered and strewn base, the assembled pieces slowly build a picture of an artist exploring, curating and boldly blurring convention. All this is done without losing sight of a core aim of wrapping sincere songwriting skills in a sound that echoes with the fading vibes of alt-indie folk pop and one embedded in the left field domain of tentacle-spreading Americana. In essence flimsy genre pinpoints that quickly evaporate from the page once the music takes root.
BETWEEN US is a mesmerising contract bonding the broadminded listener with an artist inspired by creative whim. Ana Egge has constructed a beautiful, thoughtful and exceedingly engaging body of work awash with unlikely hooks and a desire to return to forever seek where it can take you next.
