This the sixth studio album from New York City duo Widowspeak, and the follow-up to 2020’s “Plum”, “The Jacket” is a cozy fit. In many ways, it’s a homecoming: Singer/songwriter Molly Hamilton and guitarist Robert Earl Thomas returned to their NYC point of origin to record the album with co-producer Homer Steinweiss, also bringing founding drummer Michael Stasiak (who left the band in 2011) back into the fold. The result, which also features J.D. Sumner on bass and Michael Hess on keys, is as true to the band’s roots as it is difficult to place chronologically.
The Jacket’s 10 tracks each have one foot in the ‘60s and another in the ‘90s, melding gentle psychedelia (“Unwind”) and pop hooks (“While You Wait”) with humming guitar rock (“Everything Is Simple”) and Americana touches (“Forget It”). Hamilton’s Hope Sandoval-esque vocals are captivating, most of all, and Widowspeak’s songs never step out of sync with them, serving their tangled, alluring melodies above all else.
Their album “The Jacket”, out March 11th, 2022.
The Fat Angel Sings 