For someone who has been flying quite low under the radar of the mainstream, St. Louis native and indie folk singer Angel Olsen seems to have finally caught her big break as she's been getting waves of attention from various music publications this entire inferno of a summer. In fact, Angel has been so well hidden that I personally only found about her a few months ago through Pitchfork giving her "Best New Track" for the strikingly well executed and synth-driven sappy ballad of "Intern", which serves as the first song on Angel's newest and somewhat anticipated album, My Woman.
Where do I even begin with Angel's music? The best way to describe it is slow evolution. Angel Olsen seems like the type of girl who's like me: only able and willing to take risks and try new things out one baby step at a time, but once we get to the next level, it's feels great and even liberating. Angel's music is a wonderful blend of contemporary folk and indie rock, combined with elements of alternative country, especially in her earlier work. Half Way Home and Burn Your Fire For No Witness are terrific testaments of Angel's ability to craft meaningful and heart-felt songs, and her latest work is simply her maximizing this ability.
My Woman is the sound of a musician who has finally mustered up the courage to step slightly outside of her comfort zone and create music that comes off as more polished, more concentrated, and most importantly, more bold. The most accessible and catchiest song on the album, "Shut Up Kiss Me" is Angel at her most casual and playful. Similar sentiments can be found on slightly sincere, slightly casual songs like "Never Be Mine" and "Not Gonna Kill You" where the chord progressions and melodies are perfectly matched by Angel's staunch vocal delivery. Another song that sticks out to me as a nice treat is the softly sung and slowly played "Those Were The Days" that is driven on guitar chords that is extremely reminiscent of the playing style of King Krule.
Considering that I only recently found out about Angel Olsen's music, I admit that I'm rather impressed with what little she has put out. While none of her music isn't anything particularly mind blowing or ground breaking like Homogenic or Dummy but it's great for what it is. That being said, it doesn't seem like Angel Olsen is trying to be the next best thing in music, but she's definitely making a name for herself as a female solo artist who isn't giving up anytime soon. I mean, just look at the cover. Her past two album covers were simple drawings. This time around, it's a glamour shot of Angel looking profoundly confident, staring out into the distance, to the uncertain future. A future she's more than prepared for now.
Overall: 8.5 out of 10
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