Album of the Week: Adrianne Lenker, 'songs' by David Safar November 23, 2020 reviews Adrianne Lenker, 'songs' (4AD) Play/Pause Listen: David Safar - Album of the Week: Adrianne Lenker, 'songs and instrumentals' Download MP3 | 00:00:59 The lead singer and guitarist from Big Thief didn't plan to record and release an album after the pandemic took the band off the road. Yet, the songs came calling as Adrianne Lenker isolated in a cabin in Massachusetts with an 8 track Otari tape machine. The new album is a mix of folk songs, sound collages, and Lenker's distinct voice making the album stand apart from her work with Big Thief. The title reflects the beautiful simplicity behind the personal stories you hear on the new album songs. Along with its companion release, instrumentals, songs has become one of the most celebrated new releases of the year. Almost entirely written in isolation, you can hear the intimacy of the process through the recordings. The album is arranged in a way that keeps you listening from the rolling momentum of opener "two reverse" to the mid-album "zombie girl" that has been performed by Big Thief. It's a cycle of organic growth through personal narratives and decomposed arrangements. Make time to listen to instrumentals alongside songs and you hear Lenker's musical world come to life. Adrianne Lenker's new album songs (along with instrumentals) is out now on 4AD Records. Related Stories Big Thief explore new sounds live in The Current studio Ahead of their sold-out show at First Avenue, Big Thief stopped by The Current studio to perform a live three-song set. As early as soundcheck, it was evident that this was not going to be a run-of-the-mill performance. Album of the Week: Big Thief, 'U.F.O.F.' Adrianne Lenker, at her best, is almost without peer in contemporary American music, and U.F.O.F. is another striking showcase for her talents. Big Thief announce new album, 'U.F.O.F.,' and release its first single The song is quieter than might be expected from the band, and would fit right in with the solo album singer Adrianne Lenker released last fall. Big Thief perform in The Current's studios Ahead of their July 5 Cedar Cultural Center show, Brooklyn's Big Thief stopped in The Current's studios to play three songs off their new album 'Capacity.' 2 Photos Adrianne Lenker performing in The Current studio. (Nate Ryan/MPR) Adrianne Lenker and Buck Meek performing in The Current studio. (Nate Ryan/MPR) View 1 more photos Tweet