Glasser Ring (True Panther Sounds)
4/5
By: Stephen Maughan
Glasser is LA beauty Cameron Meisrow, and her debut LP Ring is not only a gorgeously paced and quite tranquil album, it's also the soundtrack to the snow gently falling outside your window. Yes, it's very pretty, and listening to this record can be distracting in the same way if you stare at the snow long enough, you find yourself dwelling on the beauty of each individual snowflake (or song – go with me on this), and can become so overwhelmed that getting any work done becomes impossible.
Cameron has released a record with remarkable depth, her minimal but breathtaking melodies fitting perfectly with something much more abstract and emotional. Indeed, Ring has such a warm feel to it that its appeal is pretty much universal.
Scholars among you will be pleased to discover Ring was inspired by Homer's Odyssey, a story that cares not for a beginning, a middle, or an end. This non linear attitude works quite well here, as songs are allowed to flow in to each other devoid of any recognisable structure. I'm sure Meisrow would be delighted if I described this album as a poem, but to do so would be to dismiss the astonishing soft melodies and compositions which feels closer to the spirit of Kate Bush than Bjork (who Glasser is frequently compared to). It's got that electric edge, despite the frequent minimal effects.
But not to mention the lyrics whatsoever would be a shame – this is a lady who’s obviously really in to her ancient Greek literature, and she clearly knows how to write. Take this, from one of the highlights 'Treasury of We' - “Chalked in a riddle we divine, take away the answer ease your mind, suffer and together - your hand in mine” Like many great poems, you mightn’t quite understand everything going on, but you can't help but admire the easy way she delivers words and music.
Ring swoops and sweeps, like a mini orchestra. It's got an instant appeal, unusual for a record so hard to pin down into one particular style. It feels fresh – it’ll fall like the snow around you, and you’ll have nothing to do but to stop and admire its beauty.
Artists in this article: Glasser
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