A record that's as confident as it is quiet, the new one from Laura Veirs is another in a string of superb releases. Following sessions with players like Dave Depper (Death Cab for Cutie), Veirs ended up co-producing Found Light herself, using the Bella Union release to reveal how she's further refined this form of material.
"Autumn Light" and "My Lantern" are as warm as a blanket, the tunes anchored around Laura's judicious vocal performances, and nearly spare in presentation. The simple production lets material like this shine, while there are more demonstrably brighter tracks here on Found Light. "Seaside Haiku" is peppy as hell, while "Eucalpytus" is centered around barebones samples and a percolating rhythmic hook. Even this retains a simplicity that suits Veirs' strengths as a performer, with these selections suggesting slight deviations in her style. While Laura brings stuff like "Time Will Show You" forward here, a reassuring balm to her fans, stuff like "Komorebi", a warm instrumental, interested me just as much, maybe more, in where Veirs might go next.
Found Light is out tomorrow via Bella Union.
[Photo: Bella Union]