Angel Olsen, “My Woman”
Available: Friday, Sept. 2, via Jagjaguwar as a digital download, compact disc, cassette tape and on standard black vinyl LP. For the collectors, a limited-edition blue opaque LP is available exclusive to mail order and comes with a 7-inch containing two tracks/covers of “For You” by Roky Erickson and “Tougher Than The Rest” by Bruce Springsteen.
I can’t fathom the pressure of following up a record that was, more or less, universally praised and, widely and rightfully, critically lauded. Two years back, the St Louis, Missouri-raised, current Asheville, North Carolina, resident Angel Olsen released a beautiful, rough and rugged straightforward indie/rock record that hovered at or near the top of most critics end of the year “Best Of” lists. Including mine. “Burn Your Fire For No Witness” deserved every bit of praise it received. With it, Olsen completely shook the notion that she was nothing more than another underwhelming indie-folk or Americana throwaway. She’s even further shimmied out from her backup singing duties with Bonnie “Prince” Billy and The Cairo Gang and is rightfully front and center, where she belongs. On “My Woman,” her voice is the focal point, while her guitar playing and songwriting are at their best to date. She takes total command with this new set of songs and has made a more-than-solid follow up. With the latest record, she’s cemented her place in the pantheon of contemporary songsmiths. Album standout tracks include “Woman,” “Not Gonna Kill You,” “Shut Up Kiss Me” and “Give It Up.”
For fans of Stevie Nicks, Blondie, Courtney Barnett, Cat Power or Wye Oak
Jon E. Lynch[email protected]
