When she performs in Montreal art-pop juggernaut Arcade Fire, violinist Sarah Neufeld is one of a dozen-odd voices struggling to be heard. As a solo artist, she’s expressive and exploratory, but nuanced. Her second solo outing isn’t the indulgent work of a player who finally has the spotlight shown on her; rather, Neufeld shows subtlety and restraint across its eight songs, which take cues from traditional folk to contemporary classical.
The opening title track features fierce fiddle work reminiscent of Tymon Dogg’s playing on “Lose This Skin” by the Clash, but wrapped up in a driving, Cocteau Twins-esque expanse. Neufeld’s wordless vocals are mixed in like an- other instrument, an apparition in the fray. On “The Glow,” her lightly plucked notes mingle with a moody, simmering bed of low-end synthesizer and a thumping beat by fellow Arcade Fire-r Jeremy Gara.
Most impressive is “From Our Animal”: Performed by an unaccompanied Neufeld sans loops and effects, it jabs and stabs like a Kronos Quartet piece, discovering beauty in brutality.
—John Vettese
