In the past, Julie Ann Baenziger – aka Sea of Bees – has preferred to define her music using the term “freak folk”, a genre previously associated with the likes of Animal Collective and Devendra Banhart. However, although it doesn’t have quite the same ring to it, the name “psych-country” seems far more appropriate after listening to her debut album ‘Songs for the Ravens’. Finally bringing her first long-player over to British shores, the Californian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist introduces us to a strangely unique blend of haunting country music, pleasant-sounding folk and electronic psychedelia, all centred around Julie’s gentle but imposing voice. The songs themselves have each been given titles that, although short, are suitably representative of the beautiful and often weird music that they convey.
From the moment ‘Songs for the Ravens’ begins with opening track ‘Gnomes’, the listener is transported into a dreamy Country and Western song that is tinged with enchanting melodiousness. While much of the album could be described as comparable to this opener, as ‘Songs for the Ravens’ makes its way through the various styles and influences that Sea of Bees employs, it becomes more and more astonishing to discover the deviations that occur along the way.
The single ‘Wizbot’, for example, provides a sudden contrast to earlier tracks with its mellow folk music that is characterised by a distinctive yet simple drum beat, which pounds gently and steadily throughout the course of the song. Midway through the album, comes what is probably the biggest shock, when the tracks suddenly take a more chilled-out turn. The acoustic guitar disappears altogether and is replaced by a soft electronic beat. One track entitled ‘Willis’ uses this particular style mixed with the background sounds of a distant orchestra and even a marching band, complete with regular cymbal crashes.
As ‘Songs for the Ravens’ nears its finale, the album makes yet another diversion as it combines the folk of earlier tracks with a more straightforward indie-rock sound and simple pop optimism. Whatever term is eventually decided upon to describe ‘Songs for the Ravens’, the only way to describe it for now is as a challenging but tranquil listen. The numerous and differing influences on offer all seem to blend together in a perfectly seamless fashion, almost as though they were distant relations longing to be united.
Stereoboard Rating: 8/10
‘Songs for the Ravens’ is released on 7th February.
Sea of Bees is on tour in the UK throughout February.
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The single ‘Wizbot’, for example, provides a sudden contrast to earlier tracks with its mellow folk music that is characterised by a distinctive yet simple drum beat, which pounds gently and steadily throughout the course of the song. Midway through the album, comes what is probably the biggest shock, when the tracks suddenly take a more chilled-out turn. The acoustic guitar disappears altogether and is replaced by a soft electronic beat. One track entitled ‘Willis’ uses this particular style mixed with the background sounds of a distant orchestra and even a marching band, complete with regular cymbal crashes. 
