Knots, the new album from New York based artist W. Y. Huang, is a delicate, varied jewel of a thing and well worth a repeated listen. Dealing with serious chronic pain as a result of a sudden illness in 2020, Huang stepped away from the city in an attempt to seek respite and a period of introspection. It was this backdrop that led to creation of these songs- with music given potent significance as a source of healing – a profound focus for a troubled mind. Knots contains music that is as meticulous as it is heartfelt and reflects a philosophical response to a deeply debilitating period for its creator- pain, loss, a changing present and possible future – all are wrapped up within the soul of these sounds.
No Answers begins things – a sort of stately, soulful mantra where sonic space meets a sea of massed vocals that combine with gospel-like reverence. It’s a fitting beginning for an album that is rich in soul and capable of delivering unexpected sonic sidesteps too. Life just Lately is a lithe, funky strut of a thing- vocals hushed but intense- and defiantly pop in sentiment – and that chorus is most certainly capable of taking firm hold in the hippocampus. The laid back croak of the hip hop interlude feels like it has beamed in from sun-drenched 00s radio, but it works somehow, Granata providing a fitting flow over the lilting rhythms of the guitars. It’s a song with huge cross-over potential – a soulful summer soundtrack for the open-hearted.
Third track Give It Time arrives on delicate picked strings – Sufjan Stevens’s declared influence seeming more prevalent here- but it delivers a sweet, smooth and sensitive melody that clearly carries its own identity forward. Subtle background hums and warbles of vintage synths add an extra layer of sonic intrigue. Huang certainly possesses a highly controlled musicianship and a knack for soulful melodiousness- with vocals particularly graceful and yearning here.
The title track fizzes with close miked intensity – possessing an intimacy and emotive impact decorated by yet another deft and heartfelt vocal line. The echo of influences are unavoidable within these sorts of arrangements but this is nevertheless really beautiful stuff- the strings (violin played precisely by Sunjay Jayaram) in particular giving soaring yet subtle potency to its already crystalline beauty. Those poignant acoustic explorations continue on Living With Ghosts where surprising melodic shifts and controlled production maintain a clarity of connection with the listener, Huang unafraid to strip things back to barebones to reveal the song’s core. There is a rawness to the lyrics that open up more than ever here – but there is hope to, and that hope is reflected in its captured expressive purity. Drag My Tail experiments further with processed vocals and spartan backing – the occasional glitching pop within the mix adding further harmonic curiosity. No Answers (Reprise) returns to the gospel evocations of the introduction – posing existential questions that are still shaped with hopeful hands.
As an album it is clearly a response to profound personal struggle, of pain both emotional and viscerally physical, as well as raising questions around our place within this world when so much is stripped away. Ultimately it is a song cycle of cathartic intent too- where hope and love and the promise of something more are given elegant voice.
Three years in the making- it was certainly time well spent. We suggest you spend a little time with it too.
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Written by M.A Welsh (Misophone)
Music | Misophone (bandcamp.com)
