The combination of Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore is a recipe for magic. Sure, their new record is called Tragic Magic, but there's nothing tragic about music like this. The tracks here are transcendent!
Opener "Perpetual Adoration" reveals a debt owed to Virgnia Astley, the combination of Barwick's vocals and electronic treatments with Lattimore's harp giving this a heavenly sheen. Elsewhere, "The Four Sleeping Princesses" provides an echo or two of the best Laraaji stuff, while "Temple of the Winds", written by Roger Eno, is even better. On this one, Barwick's treated vocals curl around the delicate harp ruminations of Lattimore. The effect is an unearthly one, and this is just one example of how wonderfully haunting this music is. Still, the highlight of Tragic Magic just might be the duo's take on "Rachel's Song" from the Vangelis score to 1982's Blade Runner. That one is sublime, with the combination of effects, vocals, and harp adding up to something really special.
Tragic Magic works so well as a kind of baroque take on past forms. While both musicians here have dabbled in what one might call minimalist ambient, this whole album is borderline lush. The tracks are richly layered, with a loveliness that is refreshing. In terms of pure listening pleasure, this Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore effort might be the winner this week.
Tragic Magic by Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore is out on January 16. Details below.
[Photo: Rachael Pony]