BETH ORTON
The Ground Above (Partisan)
From gaining her creative chops listening to the likes of John Martyn and Rickie Lee Jones to mastering her craft and being dubbed the queen of ‘folktronica’ in a short space of time with two career-defining late-90s albums, Trailer Park and Central Reservation, Beth Ortonhas remained prolific since. The Ground Above is her ninth album, and it’s also the sound of Orton reflecting – on grief, and all that has gone down since those early years.
More weathered and forthright than what has come before, with Adrian Utley from Portishead on board too, Orton’s unfiltered voice cuts to the bone throughout here. The title cut is certain to stop any listener in their tracks, its profound and brittle beauty augmented by organic, ambient backing, Waiting, where Orton accompaniers herself on Rhodes piano, is equally striking. A heart-grabbing, immersive listening experience, The Ground Above comes highly recommended.
words DAVID NOBAKHT
