Over the past few years, Ontario songwriter Brittany Brooks has released a few EPs under the name Howler. These days, she's going by Creature Speak, though, and her first full-length under this name will be out on October 30. It's called Shadow Songs, and Exclaim! has the premiere of the whole thing.
"Intro (Hospital)" starts the record in very moody, atmospheric form, as sparse nylon-string guitar plucking sets the foundation for ominous accordion and cavernously reverb-doused vocals. Most of the rest of the album is (slightly) more upbeat and warm, with several songs boasting warm banjo twang and "My Wolf - My Ghost" and closer "Outro (Home)" picking up the tempo somewhat with pitter-pattering folk rhythms. It's a low-key, soothing album that favours gentle beauty over flashy sonic fireworks.
The album is a tribute to Brooke's father, who died in October 2013. It was recorded with producer Joe Lapinski.
Hear it all below.
Creature Speak will celebrate the release with a show on October 30 at Odd Fellows Temple in St. Catharines.
"Intro (Hospital)" starts the record in very moody, atmospheric form, as sparse nylon-string guitar plucking sets the foundation for ominous accordion and cavernously reverb-doused vocals. Most of the rest of the album is (slightly) more upbeat and warm, with several songs boasting warm banjo twang and "My Wolf - My Ghost" and closer "Outro (Home)" picking up the tempo somewhat with pitter-pattering folk rhythms. It's a low-key, soothing album that favours gentle beauty over flashy sonic fireworks.
The album is a tribute to Brooke's father, who died in October 2013. It was recorded with producer Joe Lapinski.
Hear it all below.
Creature Speak will celebrate the release with a show on October 30 at Odd Fellows Temple in St. Catharines.
