Folk

There's a feeling of fine control you get when you listen to a Kim Richey album. Her songs dig outward in two directions from country/americana, into both folk and pop. And her silvery vocals, burnished with a constant, cool vibrato, lack twangy affectation, sounding almost weirdly non-manipulative – to paradoxically emotional effect.

Caroline Rose, Lucy Rose, and Soccer Mommy were among the Friday highlights at SXSW Music Festival 2018 on March 16 in Austin, Texas.

Jade Bird, Snail Mail, and Vita and the Woolf highlighted Thursday's music acts at SXSW 2018 in Austin, Texas.

Flyte, Jerry Williams, and Billie Eilish were among the highlights at Austin's South by Southwest Music Festival 2018 on Wednesday, March 14.

The misery factor is contagious, leading the listener down into the abyss of calamitous unhappiness.

Kaki King, Wyldest, and Fenster were among the opening Monday night performers at SXSW Music Festival 2018 in Austin, Texas.

'Green' delivers eloquent lyrics, along with generous doses of subliminal sonic flashes, making it one of the better folk-pop albums I’ve heard in quite some time.

'Revisited' is betwixt and between, a mish-mash of good tunes with mediocre tunes. The melodies would be better served with reduced flamboyance and grandiosity, especially the vocal harmonies, which too often reach levels of overcompensation.

The release leaves listeners with a fondness for pleasing pastorals.

Wow! 'Pulse' is surprisingly good. The melodies are lustrous and expansive, while the rhythms ache with splendid muted buffeting. Chandler’s voice is easy to listen to and rife with velvety sonority. I enjoyed 'Pulse' and recommend it to you.