Such an amazing reaction. It was my request and watched on Patreon. Can’t wait until you all get to see it.⛪️

There is something so peculiar and intriguing about traditional Christian music, especially Baptist, with the lyrics and sounds they can convey fear, despair, pessimism but also joy, pleasure, calm and healing. I think it's incredible and so insightful how this album managed to convey all these feelings in its songs, it's a true catharsis, the concept of duality is present throughout the album and the ending couldn't be any different: she sings: " no storm can shake my innermost calm" while in the background she is shouting, screaming and crying in an unknown language. This entire album is a unique concept and experience that no other singer could provide or even think about doing it and i'm very grateful for that. Ps: I love it when you sing with the music, it shows that you are really enjoying the musicality, don't pay attention to those who say otherwise because I'm sure most people here love to see you being you ❤

cool thing of note with IGOWIC, she unspooled a tape and dragged it around her studio and then respooled it and recorded the song on it. shes posted a picture of the giant mess of tangled tape she recorded the track on to get that warping effect. ALSO the rattle-y harpsichord is something she played while on tour as lingua ignota, and she would put metal tools in it to get that sound

This is in my top 5 albums of 2023. I'm glad you left the reaction to Poor Wayfaring Stranger uncut cause that mirrored how i felt the first time I heard it. That's one of my favorite hymns and to hear it sang with so much soul & emotive depth makes those lyrics hit harder. I'm glad you enjoyed the album.

This is the christmas gift I needed, thank you fern

Sorry for the long comment but I'm a Kristin fan and I've read and seen enough interviews so far to a point where I can answer a lot of your questions haha Kristin wanted this record to sound like something you would find lost in a basement for a hundred years, so she recorded all of the material on tape and manipulated a lot of the tracks in a very manual and analog way. On the first track she literally pulled the tape out of the cassette and dragged it around the studio, which explains all those distorted and distant moments (which I'm also glad she didn't do all throughout). The glossolalia (speaking in tongues) is a Pentecostal practice said to be the purest and most personal contact with God. Kristin visited herself a lot of Pentecostal churches to get involved and understand this phenomenon. She said the process of healing is very ugly, so she couldn't really make a joyous album out of it. Her personal way of overcoming her traumas was to sing all of these religious chants over and over in her home until she found solace in some of these words somehow (only a few of these tracks were written by her). And yeah you are right about the piano! She used a prepared piano with chains and bells. I hope she explains more about that because as a musician I would love to see how they added the chains and bells to the strings! P.S.: The Poor Wayfaring Stranger is my favorite alongside Idumea, loved your moment haha

hiii fern! :) i gotta start out by saying i love your reactions, and the way you interact with music. it’s so refreshing, and really something i can relate to as a fellow music lover! this album is so so amazing, defff my AOTY. to answer your question about if it was done with modern or old equipment- she posted footage on instagram of her friend and fellow musician manipulating actual cassette tapes on a machine. i don’t know the exact process you go through but she figured it out, the dedication makes me love the writing process and the payoff a whole lot more!!!! as for the piano and the specific way it rings out, i’ve heard similar results from people actually putting items onto the strings that the hammer strikes in the back of the piano. i imagine it to be nails due to the metallic ringing quality, it adds that gorgeous rock-y/gothic sound that pays off to the production in every track.

Being raised in a super religious part of the US, and having felt a decent amount of emotional trauma I am interested to feel this one. As I’m typing this the first song has finished, and the sound is inspired by religious songs. It also has a bit of a cabaret, Dresden Dolls / Amanda Palmer feel to it, and I’m interested to see how the rest of this plays out.

she actually modified the strings of her piano to buzz together and jingle like that!!! i saw her premier this material in chicago and tbh i was very confused at first 😅 but recently revisited the album and i’m super into it!!

i floated when you sang with tpws, such angelic vocals omg

Such an interesting album! I’m excited to hear your thoughts and interpretations

43:25 ♥️

Oh god fern this was so beautiful! 44:10

your look is so cutee!!

Nice one Fern hope you have a cracking crimble x

ONGG THANK YOUU❤❤

omg yes my aoty

So glad you're doing this album but idk how to feel about the lovely person recommending this basically spoiling the surprise factor of some of these songs beforehand, especially for this release. Either way, glad you enjoyed the album, great vid, happy holidays and I can't wait to see more from you in the coming year, Fern!

topical danceerrr

Feeeern can you please react to Calico by Ryan Beatty? It's such a good album but so underrated.

Fern, would you please react to ANOHNI's new album? (My Back Was A Bridge For You To Cross) It was the best of 2023 I am sure you will love it!