One truth I can offer today is this: Squirrel Flower makes massive tunes. Between lead single “Full Time Job” and one of our song’s of the summer “Alley Light,” there’s no other way to describe Ella Williams’ artistry. Now, she’s given us access to “Intheskatepark,” a woozy, noisey heater that’ll burn through your bones. I can’t even begin to stress just how nuts the melody on this thing is, as Williams never overextends herself vocally.
The music Ella Williams makes as Squirrel Flower has always communicated a strong sense of place. Her self-released debut EP, 2015’s “early winter songs from middle america“, was written during her first year living in Iowa, where the winter months make those of her hometown, Boston, seem quaint by comparison. Since that first offering, Squirrel Flower amassed a fanbase beyond the Boston DIY scene with several releases.
The most recent, “Planet (i)”, was informed by climate anxiety, while the subsequent “Planet” EP marked an important turning point in Williams’ prolific career; the collection of demos was the first self-produced material she’d released in some time.
With a renewed confidence as a producer, she helmed “Tomorrow’s Fire” at Drop of Sun Studios in Asheville alongside storied engineer Alex Farrar (Wednesday, Indigo de Souza, Snail Mail). Working tirelessly through long studio sessions with no days off, Williams and Farrar tracked many of the instruments, building the songs together during the first week, and then assembled a studio band that included Matt McCaughan (Bon Iver), Seth Kauffman (Angel Olsen), Jake Lenderman (aka MJ Lenderman), and Dave Hartley (War on Drugs) lending their contributions.”
She arrives here with patient, angelic singing backed by thick, sludgy guitars. It’s not so much a grunge tune as it is soaring alt-rock glossed with candied delicacy. Can you believe this isn’t even the best song on Williams’ upcoming album “Tomorrow’s Fire?” It’s wild to see a masterpiece unfurl one chapter at a time.
Ella Williams: Guitar, Bass, vocals Alex Farrar: Drums, Guitar, Keys, bangin on a trashcan drinkin too much coffee MJ Lenderman: Guitar
Squirrel Flower’s new album, “Tomorrow’s Fire” – out October, 13th, 2023.
The Fat Angel Sings 