Singer-songwriter Mirel Wagner’s unique background makes wonderful copy, but it is her stunning and sparse acoustic gloom folk that captures the attention of fans and critics. The 23 year old Ethiopian born Finn learned to play the violin as a young girl, tackling guitar as a teen and started writing her own songs. Her self-titled debut features some of her early works as well as recent works, all recorded in just two days. The nine tracks of dark blues and folk are minimalistic gems, with Wagner’s deep, weathered voice and fingerpicked guitar casting haunting spells. Check out the debut of this quickly rising talent, which faintly recalls a slow-tempo Kristin Hersh circa Hips and Makers yet makes an indelible impression all her own. – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Beach House, Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, Low, Mazzy Star, Mojave 3, Slowdive