Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Behind the oblique, somewhere in hiding in the shadows and the painted references to the black and white world of Folk music stands Marissa Nadler.

Ms. Nadler’s sixth studio album follows the same unique path that she has ploughed all her career. Intelligent and heartfelt lyrics with a point wrapped up in the enigma of the feeling of enforced solitude, the loneliness that the brave and inspired crave but coming out just enough to spread a tale or two of spell binding quality before shutting the door completely.

July feels like a dichotomy, the contrast between the ethereal and beautiful which has been concealed by sleight of hand, the promise of a month of warmth and eternal sunshine which has been superseded by the celestial orb deciding now would be the right time for it take a month’s break and switching out its own light. The darkness that stalks the lyrics, the sadness tagging along with the warmth of hope are there presented by Marissa Nadler and it is to be thankful that this singer/songwriter exists, for without her the despondent feelings we have at times would not have a champion of perfect verbal dexterity.

That vocal quality is what separates this talented woman from many who would pick up a guitar and weave a song out of fresh air and memories. On tracks such as 1923, a wonderful moment of story-telling and in which you will never look at old letters from across the acres of time in the same way again, the heart-rendering of Dead City Emily, I’ve Got Your Name and the sense of unbalance that strikes a chord  throughout in Nothing In My Heart.

Ms. Nadler, and her fellow musicians on the album, fully deserves a profusion of compliments for moulding something so intricately superb together whilst never erring to far from the realm of innocent seclusion. An album to secretly enjoy, to engage in and always remember that with darkness must come light; Ms. Nadler is such a light to behold.

Ian D. Hall