Sea Oleena - Shallow (2014) Lossless

Working under the name Sea Oleena, Montreal native Charlotte Loseth released a pair of sleepy yet beguiling mini albums that inhabited a dream world similar to artists like Julianna Barwick and Grouper back in 2010 and 2011. The strength of those two releases caused enough ripples to land her on the roster of Oregon-based indie Lefse Records, who have released her full-length debut, 2014's Shallow. Shrouded in a mist of gentle ambience and netherworld textures, her morphine-drip paeans still rely on structure and strong melodies to get where they're going. Produced by her brother Luke Loseth (the two siblings also have a band together called Holobody), Shallow's gentle melancholia somehow manages to convey an inspired mix of mystery and beauty rather than outright sadness. This is an important distinction, as this type of slow-building, experimental pop can often become too dreary and oppressive when laid on too thick. The fact that the album's cover is a photo of a bleeding hand is a slightly misleading red flag as the music is far more thoughtful and romantic than it is doleful. Deftly picked electric guitar and robust strings are the primary tools of Loseth's trade, though they are tempered throughout with subtle percussion, piano, and lush synths, all supporting her lovely crystalline voice which is often stacked in heavily reverbed harmonies. Opener and lead single "If I'm," with its spooky Portishead-inspired beat, offers the quickest pulse on this understated album which at times channels the sweet dream pop of the Cocteau Twins and the black lodge haze of Julee Cruise, minus the Lynchian kitsch. Best enjoyed as one long piece, it's tough to pick standouts on this finely crafted album, which flows effortlessly together throughout its seven lengthy tracks. While not a seasonal record, Loseth's affection for the waning months of autumn is apparent and fans of that deep, slow-roasted October wistfulness will want to lose themselves in this elegant collection.