Midway through Marissa Nadler’s exquisite seventh album Strangers, she pens an ode to “All the Colors of the Dark.” Gently singing over hypnotic keyboards and swelling strings, the Boston-based singer-songwriter condenses a lifetime of heartbreak and sacrifice into her poetic lyrics, noting how the small surrenders gradually leave their mark and change a person, making them unrecognizable. “This is not your world anymore,” she proclaims, as much to herself as to the object of the song. Its title is indicative of the content throughout Nadler’s latest LP, rich with subtext that explores the nuances in her meditative, somber approach to folk tunes. Combining heightened conflict and pensive reflection in her naturally serene manner, Nadler pens lullabies for when it’s just you and the abyss.
Part of personal growth involves acclimating to sentiments of weariness and resignation, aspects that Nadler effectively captures without making them appear dull. “Katie I Know” describes the painful realization of knowing when to cut ties with a toxic relationship. “I can’t bury all the times they say you’ll come back to me / But I won’t count on anything,” Nadler laments, her tremendous voice bringing complicated feelings of disappointment to life. But rather than overwhelm with sorrow, the singer deftly portrays the empowering, renewed strength in letting go.
Posted from: https://www.spin.com/2016/05/review-marissa-nadler-strangers/