Review
"Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You" by Big Thief, released on February 11, 2022, is a grandiose double album that charts new territory for the band. Produced by the band’s own drummer, James Krivchenia, this fifth studio effort boasts 20 tracks conceived in diverse locales across America over a five-month period. Each song offers a new angle of artistic expression, morphing through indie folk, rock, and experimental kaleidoscopic hues.
Adrianne Lenker’s lyrical craftsmanship stands out, shedding light on themes like identity, human connection, and our symbiotic relationship with nature. In "Spud Infinity" and "Blurred View," she explores the solitude of being and our common entanglements with a deft touch, stitched with instrumentation that ranges from ethereal whispers to thundering crescendos. It's akin to a well-played chess game where each piece moves in unexpected yet precise turns.
The titular track, "Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You," is the album's centerpiece, embodying trust and frailty while wandering through existential queries. Tracks like "Red Moon" dive headfirst into jubilant folk revelry, while "The Only Place" becomes a testament to the vital links we hold dear in turbulent times. This varied set intertwines as intricately as the web of strategies in a chess grandmaster's match, drawing admiration for the band’s evolution.
Critics, including veteran Robert Christgau, have been lavish with their praise, adoring its inventive charm and the quirky contradictions sprawled across its expanse. "Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You" cements itself as a significant stepping stone for Big Thief. The execution is captivating, exploring fleeting moments with boundless narrative freedom, marking it as a collectible in any music enthusiast's library. - Zach
