A.A. WILLIAMS
As The Moon Rests (Bella Union)
For any one new to A.A. Williams, imagine Nick Cave and Diamanda Galás having a wayward daughter, making Billy Corgan her godfather, and injecting the creative influence of all three into their progeny’s music. Indeed, Williams covered both Cave and Corgan on last year’s beguiling covers album Songs from Isolation.
For Williams, following up 2020 debut Forever Blue could have been a daunting task, but she seems to have cracked it with As The Moon Rests. The tenebrous, hauntingly beautiful The Echo very much sets the tone for the album’s other 10 songs, which here seem to be a journey through the challenges of faith and devotion, leaving the listener to draw their own conclusions.
Her vocals are engaging throughout, the strings acting as a foil to the abrasive guitars; As The Moon Rests is a richly rewarding listening experience, albeit a dark one.
words DAVID NOBAKHT