Big Thief // Capacity

Big Thief

Capacity

Saddle Creek 

4.5/5 stars

With a passionate intimacy that's almost startling, Big Thief are able to communicate emotions with heartbreaking accuracy. The opening track "Pretty Things" lays it all out on the table, filled with the unbreakable fragility that made Cat Power so deeply resonant. Singer Adrianne Lenker has absolutely outdone herself with this entire record. Aside from the aptly-titled titular track of last year's Masterpiece, their debut seemed to be adept, albeit mostly forgettable. Capacity suffers from none of that. It's brilliantly paced with up-and-down moments of pleasure and pain. Moving from light alt-country shuffles like "Shark Smile" to indie hits like "Mythological Beauty," the album finds a balance. Lenker is able to paint even the darkest, most intense subject matter with a delicate brush.Her lyrics cover subjects like sexual violence, familial struggles, and life-changing trauma. The warm, understated musicality of the band underscores an amplified femininity with an execution that's nearly perfect. This tender, personal record might just be one of the strongest of the year. 

— Nick Warren