Someone once said that Anna von Hausswolff sings like she’s trying to crack the sky. This is a paraphrase as I have been unable to locate the exact quote, but it is a reasonably accurate assessment of how she uses her voice. In addition to vocals, she also plays organ and is backed by a rock band as well as occasional classical instrumentation.
After hearing 2020’s All Thoughts Fly, I made a mental note to track down more of von Hausswolff’s material. That note was reinforced when she was inanely persecuted by religious fundamentalists – a modern-day Satanic Panic. It took a while, but I finally picked up Dead Magic, a 2018 release that showcased her unique blend of styles.
And what a blend that is. Her vocals are gritty and powerful, wailing and emotive, with dark lyrical mysticism. But Hausswolff goes well beyond your typical singer / songwriter fare with long tracks ala prog-rock, the incorporation of chamber music, organ drones and gothic nuances, all contextually supported by haunting and ethereal atmospheres.
For example, The Mysterious Vanishing of Electra features strummed acoustic guitar over a martial rock beat and subtle organ chords. The lyrics repeat for emphasis – that and von Hausswolff’s singing evokes an old-school blues ballad modernized for apocalyptic times. She eschews conventional pop-song patterns and instead tells a story accompanied by music that grows to a crescendo. Organ and electric guitar take on a larger role at the climax with von Hausswolff almost howling in a powerful yet vulnerable manner.
While over five years old, don’t sleep on this release. Wait until night, light some candles, pour some wine, and let yourself be taken somewhere else for 47 minutes.
Avant Music News 