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5
Vejpoesi
Stephen Fearing, vocals and acoustic guitar; MC Hansen, vocals and electric guitar; Nikolaj Wolf, electric and upright bass; Jacob Chano, vocal, drums, and percussion
Self-produced, 2023
Rather than toiling away at nothing when COVID pushed concerts online, roots guitarist and singer-songwriter Stephen Fearing kept himself busy creating his 11th album, the unique and intimate Vejpoesi.
The first detail to stand out is the intentionally inconsistent audio quality between songs. The first five songs were recorded in 2018 at a concert hall in Hamilton, Ont., with a more controlled, isolated studio quality that results in strong reverb and clear lyrical annunciation. The latter songs, recorded in 2022 before an audience in Frederikshavn, Denmark, includes cheering and laughter and a consistent gentle hiss from the speakers. This gives the album a live, personal touch, offering a sound that much of the world has sorely lacked since the start of the pandemic.
This fragmentation is also apparent in the genres Vejpoesi explores: Christine’s upbeat bluesy tune contrasts against the soulful and folksy story told in Sunny as well as the fast-paced country of Finest Kind. Fearing’s supple singing ensures these songs are consistently enjoyable despite their differences. He demonstrates a surprising range with his gravelly voice, which is especially apparent in As The Crow Flies. He’s also not afraid to have fun with the songs, often cracking an audible smile that adds another layer of liveliness to an already incredible album.
This page is also available in / Cette page est également disponible en:
Francais (French)
