Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
Captivated by a performance from Brian Eno's Pure Scenius project at the 2010 Brighton Festival, Shetland-born chanteuse Astrid Williamson had a brainwave for her fifth studio album, Pulse, and subsequently bombarded guitarist Leo Abrahams with dozens of demos until he agreed to work with the former Goya Dress frontwoman. With someone so closely associated with the Roxy Music maverick on board, it's no surprise that the follow-up to 2009's Here Come the Vikings veers away from her usual alt-rock sound in favor of an otherworldly blend of acoustic dream pop and ambient electronica, but it's still a joy to discover how natural and effortless the change in direction is. Indeed, 13 years into her solo career, Williamson appears to have found her forte. Full of spaciously lush soundscapes, Abrahams' presence can be heard all over the album's ten tracks, from the ghostly industrial effects on the haunting "Underwater" to the lilting piano hooks and subtle techno beats of the gorgeous lead single "Pour," to the twinkling glockenspiels and skittering rhythms of opener "Dance." But while the atmospheric production could have swamped lesser singer/songwriters, Williamson's ethereal, whispered tones and understated but enchanting melodies ensure she remains the focus of the record, whether it's on the hazy shoegazing pop of "Miracle," the eerie Americana of "Reservation," or the Goldfrapp-goes-tribal vibes of "Cherry," while stripped-back ballads "Connected" and "Paperbacks" reveal an intimacy which justifies the frequent Joni Mitchell comparisons. As the saying goes, "from small acorns do mighty oaks grow," and that one light-bulb moment amid a crowd of experimental pop fans has resulted in Williamson's most accomplished and spell-binding album to date.
© Jon O'Brien /TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From £10.83/month
Astrid Williamson, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist - Mute Song Limited, MusicPublisher
2011 One Little Independent Records 2011 One Little Independent Records
Astrid Williamson, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist - Mute Song Limited, MusicPublisher
2011 One Little Independent Records 2013 One Little Independent Records
Astrid Williamson, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist - Mute Song Limited, MusicPublisher
2011 One Little Independent Records 2011 One Little Independent Records
Astrid Williamson, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist - Mute Song Limited, MusicPublisher
2011 One Little Independent Records 2011 One Little Independent Records
Astrid Williamson, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist - Mute Song Limited, MusicPublisher
2011 One Little Independent Records 2011 One Little Independent Records
Astrid Williamson, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist - Mute Song Limited, MusicPublisher
2011 One Little Independent Records 2011 One Little Independent Records
Astrid Williamson, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist - Mute Song Limited, MusicPublisher
2011 One Little Independent Records 2011 One Little Independent Records
Astrid Williamson, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist - Mute Song Limited, MusicPublisher
2011 One Little Independent Records 2011 One Little Independent Records
Astrid Williamson, Composer, Lyricist, MainArtist - Mute Song Limited, MusicPublisher
2011 One Little Independent Records 2011 One Little Independent Records
Album review
Captivated by a performance from Brian Eno's Pure Scenius project at the 2010 Brighton Festival, Shetland-born chanteuse Astrid Williamson had a brainwave for her fifth studio album, Pulse, and subsequently bombarded guitarist Leo Abrahams with dozens of demos until he agreed to work with the former Goya Dress frontwoman. With someone so closely associated with the Roxy Music maverick on board, it's no surprise that the follow-up to 2009's Here Come the Vikings veers away from her usual alt-rock sound in favor of an otherworldly blend of acoustic dream pop and ambient electronica, but it's still a joy to discover how natural and effortless the change in direction is. Indeed, 13 years into her solo career, Williamson appears to have found her forte. Full of spaciously lush soundscapes, Abrahams' presence can be heard all over the album's ten tracks, from the ghostly industrial effects on the haunting "Underwater" to the lilting piano hooks and subtle techno beats of the gorgeous lead single "Pour," to the twinkling glockenspiels and skittering rhythms of opener "Dance." But while the atmospheric production could have swamped lesser singer/songwriters, Williamson's ethereal, whispered tones and understated but enchanting melodies ensure she remains the focus of the record, whether it's on the hazy shoegazing pop of "Miracle," the eerie Americana of "Reservation," or the Goldfrapp-goes-tribal vibes of "Cherry," while stripped-back ballads "Connected" and "Paperbacks" reveal an intimacy which justifies the frequent Joni Mitchell comparisons. As the saying goes, "from small acorns do mighty oaks grow," and that one light-bulb moment amid a crowd of experimental pop fans has resulted in Williamson's most accomplished and spell-binding album to date.
© Jon O'Brien /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 9 track(s)
- Total length: 00:34:15
- Main artists: Astrid Williamson
- Composer: Astrid Williamson
- Label: One Little Independent Records
- Genre: Pop/Rock Pop
2011 One Little Independent Records 2011 One Little Independent Records
Improve album informationWhy buy on Qobuz...
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalogue with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.