Sunday, 23 May 2021

Matt Sweeney & Bonnie 'Prince' Billy - Superwolves, album review


Popsicle Surprise

This is such a fine album – consistently so. Will Oldham’s distinctive vocal is prominent, as is the mainly self-harmonising, as beautiful as that he has performed over the years with so many others. Matthew Sweeney’s guitar work is as fulsome as it is varied, from folk finger picking (e.g. I am a Youth Inclined to Ramble, though this becomes loudly electrified) to more resonant and at times haunting playing. The lyrics are rich in evocation and mystery – always the surprises. An early favourite for its sweetness, musically and lyrically, is My Popsicle. Sublime.