Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Though more obviously a collective effort than last year's towering Carbon Glacier, Laura Veirs' concerns remain typically elemental on Year of Meteors. The same fascination with water courses through songs such as "Lake Swimming", "Cool Water" and "Rialto", but her elemental metaphors are extended further here, down to the depths of the earth in "Spelunking"; up to the heavens in "Where Gravity is Dead". In the former, she wonders whether the "fish without eyes, and bats with their heads hanging down" that inhabit the "caverns of [her] heart" might put off her lover; while in the latter she contemplates "riding into the sun on a raft made for one". Only such rarefied talents as Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush and Björk have conveyed female emotions with the lyrical elegance and musicality of Veirs, whose scholarly mien clearly masks an avid heart. The arrangements, developed with the drummer/ producer Tucker Martine, blend her rippling acoustic guitar with subtle tremors of synthesiser, organ and electric piano, smears of viola and cello, jazzy drums and splinters of electric guitar, creating a grainy, patinated sound that matches the depth and mystery of her songs. An absorbing, brilliant work whose grip tightens with each hearing.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments