5/7 - "A very beautiful album you could dive deeply into."
-Groove

Fenêtre Records presents its fifth release, this time the full-length collaboration album between French multi-artist and electronica aficinado Christophe Bailleau and American folk singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Neal Williams, also known from his moniker Possible Selves. Bailleau makes a welcome return to the Norwegian label since his remix of Greg Haines' exquisite "Snow Airport" for the label compilation RUFS. On On Soft Mountains We Work Magic, we find two quite different artists, both taking turns to feature prominently, but also presenting us with this magic of theirs that emerges, precisely as promised, when they combine their talents. Williams has a rasp, distinct voice and plays lovely folk-like melodies, both voice and instrumentation managing to sound meticulous and close but slightly out-of-tune and shaky, reminiscent of the vocal talents of his peers in Bill Callahan (aka Smog) and Simon Joyner. Bailleau on the other hand lays out lovely soundscapes as backing melodies, but also whole compositions bereft of Williams' voice.

Together the two weave rich textures and sonic patterns, fragmented melodies that we tune into before hurriedly moving on to find some other focal point, and overall the album has a very colourful feel in its presentation. In addition the compositions capture several atmospheres, some huge and floating expanse, wonderously unknown as Bailleau works his electronic magic, at times alien and unnerving, but also warm and fuzzy, carefully nested in more traditional folk tones with down-to-earth acoustic guitar melodies carried forward by Neal Williams' soothing voice.

Artwork by Erik K. Skodvin
Mastered by Andreas Tilliander