The debut album from Dog in the Snow is called Vanishing Lands and that title ought to give you some idea of the appeal of this record. It is that rarest of releases that conjures up something utterly otherworldly, something ancient, and something that is Art with a capital A. The record, out on Bella Union on Friday, is one of the most striking releases you're going to encounter in this tail-end of 2019.
Helen Ganya Brown is Dog in the Snow and she uses this project to explore territory that feels both familiar and entirely unique. "Bloom" is, for instance, fairly close to some of what we've heard from Florence and the Machine, but "This Only City" blends elements of Eighties dream-pop like Bel Canto and Cocteau Twins, with flourishes of electronica that suggest the more contemplative moments on a Goldfrapp record. Elsewhere, "Monochrome" skirts at the edges of what one could call art rock, elements of classical forms showing up here, while "Dual Terror" is jittery in spots, enough that it's nearly as catchy as an old Depeche Mode single. Lots of Vanishing Lands is fairly serious, like "Dark", but Helen Ganya Brown makes this material feel like the natural product of her unique vision. This is serious music, mind you, but it's also lovely stuff. Vanishing Lands conjures up something windswept and mysterious, and it thoroughly enchants you as a listener.
Vanishing Lands is out on Friday via Bella Union.
More details on Dog in the Snow via the official Facebook page.
[Photo: Jay Bartlett]