How Love Bends. Reb Fountain

Reb Fountain made quite the impression on me with her previous two albums, 'Reb Fountain' and 'Iris', and live at the Paradiso in Amsterdam. Except for an occasional single, things went quiet until late last year, when the first single announcing How Love Bends was released. The two singles announced that Reb Fountain was about to set a next step in her career. The mysticism and mystery in her music was still there but the music felt different and more electronic.

My hunch was right, but also in a totally different way. Reb Fountain recorded the album with her band, Karin Canzek on bass, Earl Robertson on drums and Dave Khan on guitar & synths who also co-produced the album with Simon Gooding. Add some strings here and there and you have the musical picture. Together they made the album more direct in many songs, perhaps more present is a better description. but on the other hand there is the very jazzy 'Ring Ring', an ultimate slow song and so bare. All the attention goes to the singer, who almost flows away to soaring heights. Her voice simply shines brighter than ever before.

Reb Fountain is from New Zealand, although born in the U..S. She is an award-winning artist there, but I founnd that her new record is not released over here. I'm sure that very good Dutch artists never see a release down under, but in the case of Reb Fountain it is a bit absurd, as her previous two are available even in my local record store. Based on the quality of How Love Bends it becomes even moe absurd.

Although it is always dangerous to state the biggest of words so soon after a release, How Love Bends is an extremely good record. It may well become my favourite of the three. Despite having a little fright from the electronics in single 'Nothing Like', when I first heard it. Vocally Reb Fountain is in great shape and the band supports her for the whole of the way.

While the band setting may by elementary, drums, bass and keyboard or guitar, it is all else that enriches the songs no little. The use of seemingly endless reverb is an electronic effect, the strings and atmospherics are what gives How Loves Bends its depth. In every single song this richness is presented to the listener. It's what makes Reb Fountain mysterious 2.0. The whole album is next level Reb Fountain. No matter how good I think 'Reb Fountain' and 'Iris' are, How Love Bends seems to have have something on top of it all. Of course, fans will recognise familiar musical references. Things only start there, is my opinion.

I do not feel like bringing out individual songs for you. It simply feels inappropriate. Let 'Ring Ring' stand as an example. It suffices, as How Love Bends is a total experience. An album to submerge in. It is like a warm bath that keeps its temperature without having to change anything. The team, singer, band and producers, went for the best and together achieved even more.

How Love Bends is one of the best records, if not the best, released in 2025 so far. And now for that release or distribution in NL. Anyone interested?

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order How Love Bends here:

https://rebfountain.bandcamp.com/album/how-love-bends