Fresh & Onlys' Tim Cohen Returns to His Magic Trick for 'River of Souls'

BY Alex HudsonPublished Oct 30, 2013

Since the last time San Francisco busybody Tim Cohen released an album with his project Magic Trick, he's issued an LP and an EP with his band the Fresh & Onlys. Now, Cohen has once again returned to Magic Trick for a new album. River of Souls is out on December 3 through Empty Cellar.

The album was recorded in Cohen's attic studio, dubbed the Tree House, with mixing handled by Phil Manley (Wooden Shjips, Moon Duo, the Fresh & Onlys) at Lucky Cat Studios. Cohen was joined by a band who, according to a press release, provide "angelic female chants," horns and more.

This apparently resulted in "well-skewed pop songs" that channel Cohen's classic style by melding a wide range of influences. That being said, the album is said to be something of a sonic departure for the songwriter, in that the vocals are clear and the performances crisp and present.

The announcement reads, "River of Souls whirls with parables of change amidst emotional flotsam and jetsam. Insecurities, sarcasm, escapism, optimism, vanity, honesty, and bona fide love... it is all there, but in comforting form."

Below, stream the folksy opening cut "Come Inside," which recalls the dreamy male-female vocal interplay of Devendra Banhart's "Hey Mama Wolf."

River of Souls:

1. Come Inside

2. The Store

3. You Have to Do

4. Crazy Teeth

5. Beloved One

6. Blinding Light

7. Salvation

8. Bridge of Gold

9. My World

10. I'm A Joke

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