Band: Little Misty
Album: Nowhere Land
Release Date: April 14, 2023
Genre: Folk
Montreal progressive folk band Little Misty released their sophomore album Nowhere Land on April 14.
Although orbiting around folk music, Little Misty’s sophomore album is a collection of very contrasting short stories, representing a hell of a rollercoaster ride through Nowhere Land. As the story goes, Kathryn Samman and François Jalbert found themselves writing a lot of music during the pandemic. More often than not, working almost entirely remotely, the pair ironed out the blueprints of the arrangements by themselves, producing very detailed demos, writing and recording all the parts until it was safe to come together to record.
“The repertoire took a more surreal path,” they explained, “as we felt like we needed to express whatever we were going through at that moment in time without any aesthetic limitation whatsoever.”
The ten-song release features previous singles, “Windmill” and “Alma,” which are perfect introductions to Little Misty.
Track four, “Butterfly,” features sparse instrumentation alongside Kathryn’s ethereal vocals. Its haunting atmosphere, poetic lyrics, and beautiful instrumentation make it a standout on the album. The chorus is delivered in a sing-song style, which brings a smile to my face. My main attraction was the tranquil vibe, as the music and vocals meld together.
“Master” takes a detour to the pop side of things. The track begins with a stomping beat that immediately draws you in, while the vocals have their own peppy, energetic sound, proving to the listener that Kathryn’s voice can handle various levels and styles. The lyrics possess a poetic edge, such as “It seeks to be the master, To be faster, Cares not of disasters it leaves on its’ way, So when I hold you tight against my chest, I think of all the horror stories you’ll be left alone to profess.”
Overall, Nowhere Land is a hauntingly beautiful, powerful, and thought-provoking album that showcases Little Misty’s incredible talents as songwriters and performers.