A stark and beautiful record, Penelope Three from Penelope Trappes delivers a feminine vision and an artistic one. The release, on Houndstooth, completes the musicians' trilogy, and adds a work to her catalog that's only going to increase the acclaim awarded her.
"Nervous" builds upon multi-tracked vocals, and a smattering of effects, to convey the vibe of the title, while "Fur & Feather" is an icy hymn. Penelope's voice is a force, even when delivering material that's overtly lovely, or at least starkly pure. Elsewhere, "Blood Moon" melds a heavy rhythmic undercurrent to a performance that's an odd sort of soulful. Penelope loses herself in the material just enough to let the minimalist instrumentation take center stage, though "Northern Light" is a standout too in that regard. Closer "Awkward Matriarch" is dream-pop of a sort, a neat blending of British folk and neo-classical traditions, and a tune that's emotionally potent as well. So much of Penelope Three is similar.
Penelope Three is out on Friday via Houndstooth.
More details on Penelope Trappes via the Facebook page.
[Photo: Agnes Haus]