Waxing Moon: A Brief Review Of Paint The Birds, The New Album From Faunas (Ex-Governess, Ex-Big Hush)

Genevieve Ludwig was in Big Hush with Emma from Flasher and Erin McCarley was in Governess on Priests' label. That should be enough to get your attention. Still, the music of Faunas is compelling on its own, without a reference to those pedigrees. Their new record, Paint the Birds, is out now and it offers proof of their subdued-yet-insistent brand of indie.

A lazy critic might harp on the folk touches here, but to me, something like "Jennings" is more in a line with the tunes of bands like (early) Low and Codeine. "Avid" has a nice, Elliott Smith-ish down-tempo riff, while the heavier "Waxing Moon" surges forward with its own unique modest force. The rumbling undercurrent here suggests a familiarity with mid-Nineties Throwing Muses, while "Dust", the elegant closer on the album, nods in the direction of a more direct, less mysterious Mazzy Star.

Faunas sound wonderfully assured here, the sound an astute blend of some obvious points of comparison, but also something which adds a unique flavor to the broad soundscape of music from this city. Paint the Birds is likely to charm those looking for something quite nuanced and textured from a D.C. band. This is very much recommended.

Paint the Birds by Faunas is out now.

[Photo: Faunas Bandcamp]