Bowerbirds

Bowerbirds, an indie folk band from the early 2000s, consisted of a couple, Philip Moore and Beth Tacular, who lived in an isolated cabin they built themselves. After a nine-year hiatus, Bowerbirds has returned with a new album, "becalmyounglovers", but without Tacular, as the couple split just after their last album was released. The album is the sound of healing and transformation, written and processed over six years by Moore, who is now back and bereft but not beaten.

The instrumentation on the album is mostly resolute and buoyant, with warm acoustic strumming on tracks like "Pennies" and "Sweet Dissonance". However, there are a few moments where Moore lets himself go, such as on "The Rules" and "Seems Impossible". The album also features gentle and sweet harmonies on tracks like "SBSF" and "Pennies", which evoke the feeling of Tacular reuniting with Moore to delve into what caused their relationship to break down.

The lyrics on the album reveal Moore's insularity after the breakup, with him watching the world pass him by in isolation. He notes changes in the time of day, the fire, wind, and the moon, perhaps purposefully immersing himself in nature. When the songwriting focuses on the personal, it's heartbreaking, with lines like "Seems love is not the pinnacle anymore/ Just an obstacle to avoid" and "Even when the fog from the fighting lifts/ I'll be yours to blame."

Overall, "becalmyounglovers" is a poignant album that may have been different if it had come sooner after the end of Moore and Tacular's relationship. Nevertheless, it showcases Moore's skill as a songwriter and means that Bowerbirds' future should not be overshadowed by their past.