Native Kentuckian turned Brooklyn citizen Matt Bauer released his sophomore effort The Jessamine County Book of the Living. In a sense, it is a series of musings on the natural world – its splendor, power, and capacity for life and destruction. The arrangements themselves range from sparse with simple guitar or banjo accompaniment to a ten-piece chamber orchestra of strings and horns. Bauer is joined by the talented Jolie Holland on many of the tracks, adding a nice counterbalance to his breathy, almost whispered vocals. Standout tracks include opener “Useless is Your Armor”, “White Lakes” and “All The Wolves That I’ve Known.” – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Arborea, Chris Bathgate, Brown Bird, Iron & Wine, Lewis & Clarke, South San Gabriel, J. Tillman