Marisa Anderson's Still, Here - A Review

I don't know about you, but I've been really needing some good music to help me relax and unwind lately. Life has been feeling a little bit overwhelming and chaotic lately and I just need a reminder that there is still beauty and peace in the world. Thankfully, Marisa Anderson has just released a new album called Still, Here and it is exactly what I needed. Let me tell you a little bit about it. 

If you’re a fan of Marisa Anderson’s work, then you know that she has an amazing ability to convey the complexities of the human experience through composition. Her newest release, Still, Here, is no exception. Each piece on the album reveals a new aspect of Anderson as a player and as a human being navigating the path laid before her. If you’re looking for an alchemical salve, look no further than Marisa Anderson’s Still, Here. 

In Dark Water

In this instrumental track (all of the tracks are instrumental), the dark and moody minor finger picking with piano accompaniment really sets the stage for what is to come. Anderson’s use of space is impeccable, and the song ebbs and flows in a way that feels both organic and natural. 

The title track, “Still, Here” starts off with a feeling of hope and nostalgia before quickly transitioning into something much more uncertain and anxious. The sparsity of the arrangement allows for Anderson’s guitar playing to really shine through. Her use of reverb gives the listener a sense of time and place; we can almost see her sitting in an empty room, gently strumming her guitar and looking out the window at the rain. 

Beat The Drum Slowly might be my favorite track on the album. It starts off with such tenderness and vulnerability before unexpectedly blossoming into something much more joyful and triumphant. This song perfectly captures that feeling of finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel after enduring a long period of darkness. 

Conclusion: 

If you're looking for an album that will soothe your soul and lift your spirits, I highly recommend giving Marisa Anderson's Still, Here a listen. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.