Review Summary: indie folk snapshots to relax/study to
Infinity Crush orbits a subdued, reverb-drenched style of indie folk, and yet, the project single-handedly opened up a new way of approaching and understanding albums as units of music to me. On her 2019 record
virtual heaven, mastermind Caroline White constructed a scrapbook of sorts - small moments conveyed by songs of equal size, sometimes impactful, sometimes mere faded memories. Even though the new
sestinas finds the artist carefully exploring some new ground in the form of a greater emphasis on slowcore and americana, it still comprises such a collection of snapshots: cohesive in its themes, yet uniquely framed by its unassuming yet inherently flawed sequencing.
Unfortunately, there are a few missteps on
sestinas. While this would have been quite the issue on most nine-track, 23-minute albums, the slightly questionable 'hymn' and 'charlie' help construct the record's character the same way a blurry picture would lend authenticity to a photo album. Moreover, it’s easy to overlook such slices of awkwardness when songs like ‘about you’ and ‘myth’ enhance the kind of intimacy Infinity Crush excels at - not a filter in sight; mere words painting an honest picture on a timid sonic canvas. At its best,
sestinas’ songs are timeless and entirely self-contained; at its worst,
sestinas’ songs are pointless and entirely self-contained. No single part benefits from its surroundings - and that’s more than okay. At times this record presents emotionally impactful moments, and while it’s easy to let its cover collect dust, the individual snapshots will remain pristine indefinitely.
