Ghost Woman

About

Wednesday 10th May | 2023 | 7pm - 11pm
Metronome
£10

One could be forgiven for getting that familiar feeling when listening to the music of Ghost Woman.

Since 2016, Ghost Woman has been Evan Uschenko's outlet for his interest in songwriting and recording, which began after a number of years spent playing as a sideman in various Canadian indie ensembles. Following 2022's self-titled debut, issued by UK-based Full Time Hobby to great critical acclaim, 'Anne, If' presents a slightly more expansive vision of what Ghost Woman can offer.

The sound of 'Anne, If' is certainly in keeping with past output: the music was performed and recorded (almost) entirely by Uschenko himself on his trusty Tascam 388 tape recorder, during what he describes as a "strange new chapter" in his life, living in a large, expansive house with nothing to do except record music, watch old VHS movies, and cook meals over an open fire in the backyard.

Uschenko's melodic sense – at once detached (in a Pavement kind of way) and yearning (the winsome melodies and harmonies of Crosby, Stills, and Nash are summoned more than once) – glues the album together. Spot-on late-60s-style drum fills on title track could be lifted from any number of tracks on the Nuggets compilation; "Street Meet" betrays an interest in the endless horizon feel of bands like Can and Neu!, and the chiming 12-string guitar sounds pervading the album (see "The End of A Gun") would be right at home on classic sides by The Byrds, Love, and Jefferson Airplane.

The warm, straightforward production – which recalls Safe As Milk-era Captain Beefheart, the first couple Beak albums, or Shel Talmy's 60s productions for The Creation or The Kinks – also knits the whole thing together.