Young Man in America

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Anais Mitchell

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Folk

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Insound Vinyl

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Anais Mitchell: Young Man in America

Published On: 04/06/2012

You can almost guarantee that any musician hailing from a landscape filled with towering trees and sprawling mountains will incorporate that beauty into their sound. The United State’s Appalachian range is home to many folk musicians from decades back until present day that do just that.

From Vermont, Anais Mitchell is a young, vibrant lady who no doubt has spent many-a-night in a vast, open field somewhere. Mitchell is a storyteller accompanied by a naturally gritty tone and simple strum of the guitar that has ‘folk’ written all over it.

With a few EP’s behind her, Mitchell’s first full-length album Hadestown was released in 2010 - the concept weaving mythology into a grander portrayal of life and love. The album functions as a folk opera of sorts which includes theatric vocals and guest appearances by Tom Waits and Ani DeFranco; a quirky, yet beautiful little party in and of itself.

After knowing Anais based on Hadestown alone though, we couldn’t paint a picture of what her forthcoming music would sound like. Released just a few months ago, Young Man in America is missing the fun factor of Hadestown but brings with it a stripped-down Anais Mitchell.

Just as honest and emotive as before, Mitchell taps into the consciousness of modern-day America with a mystical undertone and a more serious approach. Be prepared for eleven tracks filled with pensiveness and a decent dash of sadness.

The title track isn’t subtle about it either: ‘There’s a hollow in my bones/ makin’ me cry and carry on’ – thankfully however, a mandolin and tambourine balance out the depressive lyrics; making everything right in the world.

The following track ‘Coming Down’ is a sombre and exquisite piano number with harmonies that follow suit.

‘Venus’ takes flight into the ether for a lovely two minutes and 22 seconds. Mitchell displays her cosmic sensibilities with this upbeat, harmonica-laden tune and fair warning: awfully catchy melody. Watch out.

‘Ships’ is the closing track on the album and it takes us through a story of love and leaving - being instrumentally rich and ghostly in its vocals.

Casting aside any exaggeration, Young Man in America is not completely soaking in sorrow, however it does quite poignantly describe the social condition that many of us come to face. Isn’t that what folk music has always done, though?

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Anais Mitchell: Young Man in America

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