Julianna Barwick – The Magic Place

Julianna Barwick’s voice takes centre stage on ‘The Magic Place.’ However, don’t expect to be taken on a journey filled with lyrical philosophy, for the artist’s voice here is used not so much for linguistic qualities but to create hugely evocative soundscapes through innovative shifts of tonality. With intricate use of loop pedals, Barwick’s record is both dreamlike and enchanting; well placed to take its listener on a path to the place that its name alludes to.

We are first drawn into ‘The Magic Place’ by the aptly titled ‘Envelop.’ Here the thematic elements of the album are established as we bear witness to Barwick’s ability to create something grand from a minimal set of tools. Backed with very slight instrumentation, the skill of the musician here is layering a short set of phrases which, when combined, create a spiralling well of sound.

Indeed throughout the record, which is cast across nine songs, the ethereal atmosphere generated is quite overawing. One senses that the angelic sounds generated here are the seeping gases that have leaked from a pierced entry point into heaven. On “Keep Up The Good Work” a sprawling wave of high pitched chorus, backed with minimal bass and piano notes, justifies this claim, with the light remnants of backing vocals ensuring that the track is still grounded in reality.

On other songs, such as “Cloaked” Barwick’s voice is given a muffled effect so much so that it sounds like the distant cries of a church choir. Layered on top of this we once again are provided the angel-like calls of her higher notes which blend and intermingle with a piano. “White Flag” which make go on to be regarded as the album’s stand out number see’s Barwick adopt a greater variety to her vocal calling with a chant like pattern working in tandem with her more choral loops as a bass guitar balances out the melodic structure.

Inspired by a tree house on the farm that Julianna grew up on, ‘The Magic Place’ is an unusual, yet inspiring piece of music. Whilst possessing magical, uplifting and healing qualities it doesn’t strike one as an album that needs to be played constantly on repeat. Moreover, ‘The Magic Place’ appeals as just that, a savoured world that exists on record and one that listeners’ can visit to conjure treasured moments.

- Review by Josh Atkin for Fluid Radio

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