Jen Gloeckner – Vine
(Spinning Head Records)
Reviewed by Bridget Herlihy
All too rarely does an album materialize that breaks the proverbial mold by defying both genre and expectations. Jen Gloeckner’s Vine is one such album.
Drawing inspiration from Gloeckner’s home in Iowa’s Dubuque on the shores of the Mississippi, the singer/songwriter’s third album was recorded and produced in her bedroom, and the results are nothing short of phenomenal. Comparisons to the likes of Massive Attack, Radiohead, Lane Del Rey, Marianne Faithful and Bjork, while complimentary, often fail to take into account the sheer breadth of the sonic diversity that is evident throughout Vine. Attempts to pigeon-hole Gloeckner into a particular genre are redundant, as the album effortlessly and elegantly incorporates facets of pop, folk, electronica, with a touch of industrial and Americana thrown in for good measure.
Initially, Vine is not an easy-listen. Each track tells a different story and has a distinctly different sound. Yet, upon subsequent listens the multi-faceted nature of the album fuses together to create a beautifully dreamy, sprawling soundscape, taking the listener on an intriguing sonic journey. Ultimately, one of the most appealing elements of Vine is its diversity; it is an album of sonic exploration and experimentation that takes the listener on a dreamlike acoustic journey. From the melancholy and somber opening title-track Vine, to Firefly (War Dance) which would be right at home in the soundtrack to a David Lynch film; it’s haunting and sprawling echoes weave a multi-faceted, eerie yet exquisite texture throughout the track that sends shivers down the spine. The Last Thought, in comparison is relatively stripped back, a more upbeat and hopeful tune with vocals set over simple instrumentals, with a subtle Eastern influence. The sublime Ginger Ale is another highlight with its mellow and hypnotic melodies. Vine is nothing short of divine; a bona fide album of sonic exploration, and is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing and interesting releases of 2017. Best listened to in a dimly lit room through a pair of headphones to enable the listener to fully immerse themselves into Gloeckner’s sonic dreamscape.
