The Weather Station - How Is It That I Should Look At The Stars (Album Review)
Wednesday, 16 March 2022
Written by Matty Pywell
Photo: Danielle Rubi
The Weather Station, the project of Toronto artist Tamara Lindeman, released a critically acclaimed record with 2021’s ‘Ignorance’, adding rock elements and unwavering momentum to a tapestry of intricate instrumentation and death-defying vocal grace.
It was the pinnacle of The Weather Station project so far and a precursor to ‘How Is It That I Should Look at the Stars’, which exemplifies some of its forerunner’s best details while also misplacing some of its magic.
As ever there is grace and poise throughout the new album, found in both Lindeman’s beautiful voice and the sonic choices that surround her.
Every part of the album feels delicately selected to fit into the correct slot, whether that’s a twinkle held in a piano key or a late-blooming saxophone blast.
Here she intensely wrestles with emptiness in the first half as we explore the loss of a relationship like the death of a loved one, with only an unfillable void left behind. The Weather Station delight in finer details, tracing out scenery, with moments that seem inconsequential and filling these songs full of life.
Yet, one of the most glaring feelings that you get listening to ‘How Is It That I Should Look at the Stars’ is that it is missing some forward momentum, especially when compared to ‘Ignorance’. There’s an urgency and melodic centre that is clearly missing. This does not mean that the album is any less beautiful—there is simply a more considered approach at work.
This is a calming album that bides its time, melding together folk and jazz to often gorgeous effect. You get the sense that Lindeman is the kind of soul who needs solitude as a necessity to clear the air, and this is her taking you to such a peaceful place.
The Weather Station Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Wed March 16 2022 - BRISTOL Thekla
Thu March 17 2022 - MANCHESTER Gorilla
Fri March 18 2022 - DUBLIN Workmens Club
Sat March 19 2022 - BELFAST Black Box
Mon March 21 2022 - GLASGOW Mono - Kings Court
Tue March 22 2022 - LEEDS Brudenell Social Club
Wed March 23 2022 - LONDON Scala
Tue September 06 2022 - LONDON Union Chapel
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