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The Tufts Daily
Where you read it first | Friday, March 29, 2024

Hopes are high for sophomore album from Lily & Madeleine

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Hailing from the corn-filled plains of Indiana, the folk-pop singing sister duo Lily & Madeleine is gearing up to release their sophomore album on Oct. 28. Gaining indie cred through their online presence on sites like YouTube and Bandcamp, the duo is known for its hauntingly sweet harmonies and breezy melodies. The group's debut self-titled studio album, released in 2013, was a minimalistic and somber showcase of the budding talents of the Jurkiewicz sisters. Songs like “Devil We Know,” “Spirited Away” and “Come to Me” displayed songwriting full of wisdom and depth. The impeccable vocal performances on the album harkened to talented female acts like Feist and First Aid Kit and, despite minimal commercial success, established the sisters as an indie-pop force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, the album went largely unnoticed by many in the music world.

With their upcoming release, Lily & Madeleine have not only perfected their mystical harmonies, but have managed to blaze fearlessly into new musical territory. Pulling away -- ever so slightly -- from their musical beginnings as sweet crooners, Lily & Madeleine have managed to incorporate elements of flower power folk, electronica, bubblegum pop and even experimental elements on “Fumes.” The album is smart and expertly produced, riddled with the duo’s classic vocal elements and some shiny new instrumentation that manages to elevate the voices of the sisters higher than ever. At once minimalistic and complex, the 10 tracks on the album are engineered and placed in a perfect order.

Opening with the sweet but mysterious tones of a xylophone, the title track “Fumes” feels thematic and nudges listeners around the sonic space that these talented musicians have created. “Rabbit” and “Ride Away” are tracks with joyful, albeit restrained, instrumentation all punctuated by compelling lyricism. Eventually, the album builds to a delicate but resounding crescendo with “Lips & Hips” and then lets listeners down easy with the feel-good “Peppermint Candy.” There are many notable tracks on “Fumes,” and it seems like Lily & Madeleine may have figured out the formula for indie-pop success.

So many indie artists, after a solid but lackluster first attempt, have found solace in creating music that is increasingly niche and inaccessible. Lily & Madeleine, on the other hand, have grown comfortably into a relevant musical space by going back to basics: pulling musical inspiration from the classics of their niche and, arguably even more important, from their contemporaries across all genres.

One track that displays this incredible dynamism is “Can’t Admit It.” Somber and calculated, this song's constant and unflinching bass guides listeners through the ethereal synth and piano accompaniments. The song builds quietly toward a fulfilling percussive bridge and leaves listeners feeling happy and sad at the same time.

With tracks like these on “Fumes” there are high hopes for Lily & Madeleine in 2014. Given the current musical climate, a group with this level of musical intensity coupled with an uncomplicated aesthetic peppered with extreme nostalgia seems poised to pick up the mantle left by the folk heroes of days gone by. With a solid discography behind them and an upcoming release that has been attracting much deserved attention, it is safe to say that this will not be the last we hear of Lily & Madeleine.

If you are interested in listening the album before it is released by Asthmatic Kitty on Oct. 28, NPR is currently streaming the full album on their website. Also check out the group's NPR Tiny Desk Concert on YouTube for a stunning performance. It's well worth a listen.