Tomorrow's Fire. Squirrel Flower

Three years ago and a little Squirrel Flower debuted on this blog with her album 'I Was Born Swimming'. A year later 'Planet (i)' followed and now there is Tomorrow's Fire. Ella Williams always had the quiet folkie side to her music but also moments where a volcano seemed to erupt to stop only to be contained as fast as it started. No longer. On Tomorrow's Fire the dams burst wide open, loud guitars are all over the place. Ella Williams' inner rocker has been set free.

The most surprising thing is perhaps that she opens the album with a quiet song, 'i don't use a trash can', before 'Full Time Job' goes at it full time alright. In my review of the single 'Alley Light' I already indicated that I could do with more songs like this by Squirrel Flower and got more than I bargained for. In a very positive way.

The cover of the album is black. It matches the mood of some of the songs perfectly. 'Almost Pulled Away' is a dark brooding song. The tempo is low, the opening subdued. The latter is a ruse, as the dark guitars come unto the scene pretty fast. Ella Williams never has been an artist where fun is written in capitol letters in her songs, 'Almost Pulled Away' adds another layer of darkness. Ain't no sunshine, wherever.

I get the impression that she has a lot on her plate to digest and shares it all with us through the mood of Tomorrow's Fire. It is not only the softness is mostly absent soundwise, also the softness of mood of the songs presented here is missing. Squirrel Flower paints the sky black for us and as is often the case, this is a great place for the listener to be in. This definitely is Squirrel Flower's best one to date.

Photo: Alexa Viscius

This is Squirrel Flower as it wants us to hear it. The album is self-produced, it's first. Together with sound engineer Alex Farrar she built the songs up and then invited a few musicians to play on them, all associated with other indie-rock-folk artists. Mission accomplished is my impression.

Musically, Squirrel Flower's new album starts with a band called The Velvet Underground. 'intheskatepark' has that typical beat and sound. From there it is a small step to Lou Reed and many, many alternative rock bands that followed in his footsteps. Loudly distorted guitars, mixed in a modest way, which makes it seem they were not played very loud. At the first opportunity I will play the album loud, to find out what happens then.

Not all songs are easy to digest. 'Canyon' is rather dull where variation (of chords) is concerned. The sound is huge though. A wall of guitars is unleashed on the listener. Played loud it will be ear-splitting. There was no holding back in the studio is my guess.

The album ends as it starts, with a folky song. The fire was extinguished because finally it rained. Embers still shimmer in the background though, as you can hear in 'Finally Rain', taking care of tomorrow's?

With Tomorrow's Fire Squirrel Flower not so much shows a totally new side of itself. There have been somewhat similar songs in the past but never at this level and this intensity. The album shows progress in a still young career, making Squirrel Flower a band/project that I certainly like to keep following.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and order Tomorrow's Fire here:

https://squirrelflower.bandcamp.com/album/tomorrow-s-fire