Despite the
fearsome title, the debut EP from Maria BC, Devil’s Rain, is about as soothing
as they come. A flowing raft of ambient, chorale laced evanescence. Five tracks
of cool, minor symphonics, captured in a rarified state of ephemeral bloom.
Recorded quietly in their apartment’s bathroom so as not to desorb their roommates,
the emotional quality of Maria’s vocals and their dream-walking arrangements can
hardly be constrained to a single cracked-tile room. The title track “Devil’s
Run” has a slightly revelatory stillness to it, like the leaves and branches of
a very old tree, gently rippling with the wind in a Grouper-esque study of
poise and patience. “Unmaker” borrows the aching undertow of Circuit des Yeux
and the buoyant minimalism of Like a Villain to craft an exfoliating balm to
draw out and expel the troubles of your mind. While much of these tracks appear to be aimed at cultivating a mood or a capturing a sense of presence
and existential occupancy of space, the melodiously pop-oriented “Adelaide”
serves additionally as a vehicle for more traditional songwriting, with
lovingly, soft and folky hooks and trilling harmonies that recall the stealthy
power of the eternal architypes Enya or Sinead O’Connor even at their most
subdued. A beautiful and captivating effort from a young artist who has much to
share with the world.
Grab a copy of Devil's Rain from their Bandcamp here.
