Frostlake – The Weight Of Clouds

Discus

Jan Todd‘s third outing as Frostlake finds her appearance as part of The Orchestra Of The Upper Atmosphere lending a warmer and more open feel to this double-length collection when compared to the icier, more dramatic Ice And Bone from 2019. There is a lightness and an airiness to her voice this time around that brings to mind the first shoots of spring bringing to an end the great thaw of Ice And Bone’s winter.

Jan’s voice and the ’80s influenced production of opener “The Ultimate Thrill” does briefly echo the Cocteau Twins; and really, it is that dreamlike sensation, the diaphanous ease that causes the turn of the ear, but the cello break and the light patter of the drums change the mood. Jan is quite the multi-instrumentalist and plays everything herself, apart from some assistance from Terry Todd on bass and twelve-string guitar.

There are all sorts of guitars and harps and a lyre. There is viola and clarinet and loads of percussion, let alone the found sounds. It is a hugely impressive array and one that finds Jan choosing the perfect accompaniment in each case, be it the echoing cloisters of “Strange Land”, with its air of mystery and devotion, or the coastal Riviera breeze of “Always There”.

There is a delicate sense of motion throughout The Weight Of Clouds that lends a clearer, less dense feel than the more claustrophobic previous album. It all feels effortless, the swirl of accordion on “Hidden Walls” like morning mist or the whisper of oboe on “Blue Into Gold” lending pastoral tranquillity. The pieces are all so carefully constructed, with the addition of found sounds and field recordings the icing on each cake or sparkling motes as light hits a canvas. The pieces are always welcoming, but there may be a hint of yearning as found in the guitar tone of “Another Room, Another World”, while the bass-led lullaby “In The Stars” is a delight.

A word must be said of Terry’s bass playing, which is supple and really tasteful, often appearing to lend some freedom to the tracks and allowing Jan an opportunity to push into a freer direction. The precipitate, almost ambient piano and ethereal voice of “Anchored”, with its ache of violin, is one direction, while there is a sense of doubt that hangs over “A Piece Of Me”. Jan’s drumming has a strength and efficiency which pushes those tracks so well-propelled beyond folk and funnily enough, in places, I am reminded of some of the more adventurous indie stuff from the ’80s.

By the time we arrive at the gentle swell of the final track “Clouds”, we have been on quite a journey. The sixteen tracks and well over an hour that is on offer here cover all moods and situations, but always with the bright and sunlit outlook that evokes the arrival of spring. The Weight Of Clouds is a delight from start to finish.

–Mr Olivetti-