What makes the human spirit so indomitable? Despite social injustices and economic disparities, people continue to wake up and live their lives every day, clutching onto shards of hope. This question lies at the heart of Dreams! The Dead! Ghost! Future, the third album from Californian folk duo The Singer and The Songwriter. Comprised of vocalist Rachel Garcia and guitarist Thu Tran, the duo presents their folk narratives with stellar production, featuring shimmering acoustic guitars so rich in sound you'd swear your ear was pressed up against tree bark, and vocals so crystalline that it feels as if the singer is right beside you.
Tran is an impressive guitarist, playing with professional skill without compromising feeling. His finger-picked arrangements oscillate between serene and lively, providing a soft bedding for Garcia's personable vocals. While predominantly a vocal album, several instrumental interludes are buffers between moods. According to the artists, this was intended to create "a listening experience that mirrors the passing of seasons." This concept adds a layer of depth, though it also slows down the pace of the album, something these already contemplative songs perhaps didn't need. However, Tran's nuanced playing ensures these interludes remain engaging.
The duo is joined by a group of musicians who add further texture to the album. Andrew Maguire contributes subtle percussion, Nick Luca adds electric guitar, organ, and piano, and Jenna Moynihan’s violin weaves through the music like an empathetic friend, echoing the album’s emotional core. The production, recorded over 10 days at the late Elliott Smith's New Monkey Studio on a vintage 1970s Trident Triad A-Range console, is warm and inviting.
The songs on Dreams! The Dead! Ghost! Future often feel like character portraits. "Drowsy Driver" illuminates the hypnagogic states we enter when in flux, perhaps a metaphor for how we travel through life, only somewhat aware of what's going on. "The Work" delves into economic hardships and the desire for escape with lines like "Hitch the trailer to the truck / As our Golden Years begin to rust." It's all very Nomadland, albeit not as bleak.
"Over Easy" reflects on the remnants of a tumultuous relationship, yearning for the simple, everyday moments that often go unappreciated until they’re gone, like making eggs on a Sunday morning. Some songs carry an air of emotional ambiguity, like the dulcet "Rest Stop Angels," which contemplates the passage of time with intentions that remain unclear, hovering between hope and regret. "Sound & Light," the album's first single, blends Norah Jones-esque jazz smoothness with the sophistication of James Taylor's acoustic balladry. "Flight Risk", with its earthy acoustic guitar and wavering vocals, harks back to the heyday of British folk, with a subtle paganistic feel.
The album closes with two tracks that shift the mood. "You Take Such Good Care of Me" features gently plucked electric guitar tones, expressing gratitude for those who care for us despite our flaws, as in the line, "Even though I turned away, you put the kettle on." The final track, "Virginia," departs from the album's preceding softness, building into a dynamic intensity that mirrors the emotional journey of the album.
With its fantastically rich acoustic sound, Dreams! The Dead! Ghost! Future by The Singer and The Songwriter will appeal to those seeking comforting mood music. Yet, the duo goes beyond the high standards of their production, offering deeply human portraits of modern-day struggles and emotionally intelligent responses to the difficult situations we all face every day.
★★★★