patching. runo plum

The singles released by runo plum in the past months really made we want to listen to her album. The way they both played with my ears and surprised my expectations made listening to 'patching' almost an obligation. I was not disappointed.

runo plum is a singer-songwriter from Minneapolis. She has released some singles and EPs in the past years. She played some interesting support slots but with this new album it is time for a new step in her career. She recorded 'patching' in a cabin in Vermont with multi-instrumentalist Noa Francis and co-producer Lutalo. Together they created an album with a slow, relaxed pace, that is very nice to dwell in for a while.

The place to start reviewing 'patching' is runo plum's voice. It has a soft, sleepy quality. Listen closely and you'll notice it is double tracked, making it more forceful than it actually is. plum sounds as if she's about to fall asleep or awakens without anything urgent sounding out telling her to get up now. This atmosphere takes me through the whole of the album, without making me want to stop listening. Yes, over ten songs, the music sounds somewhat uniform, it is more than o.k.

promo photo: Alexa Viscious

The music is just as relaxed. An acoustic guitar or two, soft drumming and a soft plopping bass guitar. A distorted or reverbed electric guitar shines through every once in a while, mixed in such a way that it fits in quite well, without upsetting the tranquil mood. It is described as indierock, but I do not fall for that. This is intimate singer-songwriter material that gets a very modest alternative treatment with a soft electric guitar. That's about it.

The whole makes 'patching' a very intimate album. As a listener you have to work at listening, as 'patching' takes your attention to flourish. Once you surrender yourself and thus your time, the album, runo plum, her musicians and you will become one for a while. A rich and relaxing experience.

Wout de Natris - van der Borght

 

You can listen to and order patching here:

https://runoplum.bandcamp.com/album/patching