Josephine Foster - Godmother

by Helen Tipping

published: 18 / 1 / 2022

Label: Fire Records
Format: CD

intro

Understated but melancholic and wintry nineteenth album from singer-songwriter Josephine Foster

Josephine Foster, who is from Colorado, was initially destined to be an opera singer, before she became inspired by early British Folk music and Americana. She has experimented with various styles, and much of her work is unconventional and experimental, touching on bluegrass and psychedecic rock, as well as poetry set to music. Gliding synth sounds, pared back guitar and haunting vocals provide an air of melancholy on this her 19th album, 'Godmother'. Written and recorded during the first Covid winter, the synth sounds emanate from a Technics keyboard that was found in a second hand shop. First track, 'Hum Menina', utlises sparse instrumentation and detuned guitar, relying on the vocals to hold the song together. 'Guardian Angel', the single release, sounds as if someone is playing the stylophone, although I'm sure it's just one of the more unusual synth sounds available on this slightly less melancholy track. 'Old Teardrop' follows it, and we are plunged once more into sad introspection. It's been hard to escape that feeling over the past months, and this particular track is my favourite on the album. Overall the tracks are understated, with floating harmonies that seem to pair with the wintry landscape around me, and I'm left with an overwhelming feeling of sadness and longing for the coming of summer and a move away from the inescapable uncertainty of these times.

Track Listing:-

1 Hum Menina
2 Sparks Fly
3 Guardian Angel
4 Old Teardrop
5 Flask of Wine
6 Gold Entwine
7 Dali Rama
8 Nun of the Above
9 The Sum of Us All

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/JosephineFosterMusic
http://www.josephinefoster.info/
http://www.last.fm/music/Josephine+Foster

Label Links:-

https://twitter.com/firerecordings
https://www.facebook.com/Firerecords
http://www.firerecords.com/
https://firerecords.bandcamp.com/
https://instagram.com/fire_records/
https://www.youtube.com/user/FirerecordsUK