Review
'Kassi Valazza Knows Nothing' is a journey through the human experience, painted with the colors of folk, country, and psychedelia. Valazza's unhurried melodies and rich imagery transport us to a place where time seems to stand still, inviting us to explore the depths of our own emotions. The live-to-tape recording with Portland musicians adds an element of raw authenticity, as if we're witnessing the birth of each song in real-time. It's as though Valazza has tapped into the collective unconscious, channeling the spirits of Emmylou Harris and Joni Mitchell while infusing her work with a distinctly modern, Southwestern American flavor.
In tracks like 'Watching Planes Go By' and 'Rapture', Valazza weaves intricate tapestries of love, longing, and the ephemeral nature of human connections. The six-minute psychedelic folk haze of 'Watching Planes Go By' serves as a meditation on the passage of time, while 'Rapture' uses vivid imagery to explore the complexities of long-term relationships. The album's conclusion, a cover of Michael Hurley's 'Wildegeeses', feels like a bittersweet farewell, echoing the themes of seasonal change and heartache that permeate Valazza's own compositions. This intentional and soul-bearing work invites us to lose ourselves in its dreamy world, offering a mirror to our own experiences and emotions. - Silas
Artist Bio
Kassi Valazza is a singer-songwriter originally from Arizona who spent much of her career in Portland, Oregon, blending country, folk, and psychedelic-tinged Americana into a subtly Southwestern style. Breaking through with her 2019 debut album, *Dear Dead Days*, she quickly earned a cult following and later signed with Portland's indie label Fluff & Gravy, home to artists like Anna Tivel and Margo Cilker. Her sophomore effort, *Kassi Valazza Knows Nothing* (2023), received critical praise from NPR, KEXP, and MOJO, and continued to showcase her poetic lyricism and intricate arrangements alongside a close group of Portland musicians. Valazza’s music, often likened to Sandy Denny, Margo Price, or Riddy Arman, dwells on themes of anxiety, growth, and personal observation, marked by her literary approach and gentle experimental touches. Touring alongside Americana mainstays and steadily expanding her audience with each release, Valazza stands out for her narrative clarity and nuanced modern take on folk and roots traditions.
