CD: Bill Ryder-Jones - Yawn

Take a deep breath and surround yourself with some comfortable furnishings before hitting play on this one. Yawn, recorded by Bill at his West Kirby studio of the same name, is just beautiful: a word that’s overused, but feels totally apt in this case. The album hums with emotion, fragility rippling throughout. Classically informed motifs punctuate sad, grizzly guitar, his barely-there voice a close whisper.

Subjects are poignant, universal, finding the intensity in the everyday, and many songs clock in at five minutes or more, giving each idea plenty of breathing room. Uninhibited outros are left relentlessly sprawling in a shattered exhale, like the unquiet mind that circles and circles at night. “And Then There’s You” is arguably one of the most beautiful songs of the year. “John” is nothing short of devastating.

The whole thing peals with a resounding rawness. Good luck keeping this one at arm’s length; instead, prepare to meet the shape of your aching hopes and darkest fears, and give in to its captivating soundtrack. Phenomenal stuff from the talented composer, producer, and former Coral guitarist. A very precious work.

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