Hope Sandoval & the WarmInventions - Through theDevil Softly

Fri 25th Sep, 2009 in Music Reviews

Despite the runaway success of the beautiful Fade Into You, Mazzy Star never achieved much mainstream success or recognition over the years. But when the band faded into…well, virtual nonexistence, singer Hope Sandoval’s name didn’t go the same way.

Quietly making her presence felt in music over the past decade, Sandoval has been seeing out the Mazzy Star hiatus by collaborating with some notable artists (lending her vocals to an interpretation of Air’s Cherry Blossom Girl and The Chemical Brothers’ Asleep From a Day among other things) as well as with her latest project, Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions.

Formed with My Bloody Valentine drummer Colm O Ciosog, Hope Sandoval & the Warm Inventions released their debut album way back in 2001. Eight years on and three relatively unnoticed EPs later, the long-awaited second release Through the Devil Softly continues along the lines of their debut with its folky, at times bluesy dreamy pop sound.

Recorded in the Irish countryside, the album retains the setting’s organic, pastoral ambience. It uses minimal instrumentation – at times little more than acoustic guitar and light orchestral backdrop – and effects to evoke its melancholy imagery and a spatial moodiness, especially on tracks like the wistful Wild Roses or the gently lilting Thinking Like That.

Sitting at the forefront of the music is the instantly recognisable voice of Sandoval, which remains as captivatingly ethereal and innocent as it ever has. She is a notoriously shy performer, and it gives her vocals a more personal and vulnerable edge, especially when she croons through the mournful Bluebird, the richly textured Fall Aside or when her voice layers over itself in the beautifully shimmering Sets the Blaze.

Although there is talk of another album from Mazzy Star it may, like this release, be a long time coming. Fans of Hope Sandoval’s music, and especially her wonderfully sublime voice, should find Through the Devil Softly will satiate them in the meantime.

Through the Devil Softly is out now through Shock.