Marina Allen – Candlepower
Fire Records – 4 June 2021
Well, this is something rather special. LA-based Marina Allen’s debut Candlepower comes as a very welcome, and enchanting surprise. One of the delights of reviewing for Folk Radio UK is being introduced to new voices. No more so is this more evident in Allen’s new release.
It’s tempting, when a new act emerges, to identify and compare them by what has gone before, and there are certainly several names and influences bundled around Marina Allen. Echoes of the great female singer-songwriters, such as Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Laura Nyro and Karen Carpenter, alongside more recent voices such as Laura Marling feature throughout Candlepower, but there is so much more to Allen than an easy replication of the past. This talented singer-songwriter is certainly her own star, enthused rather than burdened by such comparisons.
The album opens confidently with ‘Oh, Louise’. Its soft, jazzy guitar and keys, complemented by Allen’s knowing, honey voice entrances from the off. It begins quietly before picking up pace with an almost jazzy percussion. It’s an atmospheric introduction to an album that woos the ear completely.
The track is quickly followed by the lushness of ‘Original Goodness’. ‘How can we go through hell, then just go to bed?’ sings Allen, on a song that explores the complexities of human relationships. It’s a heartfelt song, beautifully produced by Allen herself, and mixed by Ben Varian.
The entire album is infused with the ‘magical theatric’ as Allen terms it: “To me I think it’s a cohesive mix”, says Allen, “Candlepower is like a mantra, a spiritual attitude and perspective; it feels like all of these songs in their own way are directed at one place while each song touches on a different genre. I wanted to be able to say what I needed to say and set myself up for the future so that I wouldn’t be tied in to any one thing.”
This willingness, and confidence, to experiment with sounds and genres is formidably evident. Compare the contrast between ‘Oh, Louise’ with its sumptuous 70s ambience, and the trippy melancholia of ‘Belong Here’, for example. Allen’s talent as a writer, and willingness to explore genres, is plain to see.
‘Belong Here’ is a case in point. Rich with a 60s psychedelic ambience, it’s a dark, disconcerted mood that permeates. A hypnotic guitar pierces the track, whilst Logan Hone’s flute flits playfully, dipping and swirling throughout. ‘California is on fire, New York is under water’ sings Allen on a track that manages to be both unsettling and utterly mesmerising at the same time.
It’s a fine guest list Allen enlists too. Jonny Kosmo takes up piano on most tracks, whilst background vocals are provided by Allyson Yarrow Pierce, guitar by Ben Schwab and Jasper McMahon, drums by Ben Varian and sax and flute by Logan Hone. Phil Hartunian provides drums and clarinet for ‘Ophelia’, whilst Jackie Urlik provides harp on ‘Believer’. Eric Kinny (slide guitar) and Jay Rudolph (drums) pop up too on ‘Sleeper Train’ and ‘Belong Here’ respectively.
‘Sleeper Train’ takes us back to the beginning, with a track simply constructed with Allen’s soft voice and some quiet, reflective guitar. The chilled folk soothes before giving way to the more playful ‘Believer’. The latter track is one of the more curious, and hypnotic, recordings on the album. Fundamentally a spoken word track, it slowly builds, accompanied by a light, wistful, sing-song chorus.
Towards its conclusion, the album returns to where it started, with a thoroughly polished and accomplished finale. ‘Ophelia’ focuses on Allen’s smooth, almost husky voice, whilst ‘Reunion’ plays with the LA sound of 70s singer-songwriters. Allen’s vocals superbly accompanied by solo piano and soft, mellow harmonies. It’s a beautifully atmospheric climax to a rather dazzling debut, leaving the listener wanting more.
There may only be seven tracks on Candlepower, and the recording runs for a brisk twenty minutes, but each track is an absolute gem. Every minute is brimming with imagination and a graceful, easy vibe, that is impossible to resist.
Candlepower is an effortlessly crafted, and luxurious, listen. Charming and challenging in equal measures it is a thoroughly beguiling debut and proves Marina Allen to be a very welcome voice we are guaranteed to hear much of in the future. Allen’s dreamy, timeless voice will lure and bewitch you. You will go willingly.
Candlepower is out now on Fire Records. Order it here: https://fire-records.lnk.to/MarinaAllenCPID
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Photo Credit: Kristy Benjamin