Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore's latest collaboration, Tragic Magic, is an enchanting blend of new age and ambient sounds that showcases the musical telepathy between Los Angeles-based composers Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore. The album was born out of a series of impromptu sessions in Paris, shortly after last year's California wildfires, which had a profound impact on both musicians.
The album's dreamlike quality is palpable from the opening track, Perpetual Adoration, with its delicate harp loop and hushed whispers that evoke a sense of sweetness and longing. As the album progresses, Barwick's lyrics become increasingly indistinct, blurring into texture and shapeless whispers that teem with feeling. The pair's music has always been characterized by their ability to create intimate and expansive spaces at the same time.
One of the standout features of Tragic Magic is Lattimore's harp, which takes center stage in many of the tracks. Her playing is both delicate and powerful, adding a sense of grandeur to even the most stripped-back recordings. The album also features several nods to classic film scores, including a haunting take on Rachel's Song from Blade Runner, which showcases the duo's ability to craft epic, cinematic soundscapes.
The album's closer, Melted Moon, is a particularly affecting example of this ability, with soaring synths and celestial harp flickers that create a sense of emotional intensity without ever feeling overwhelming. This is music that feels both intimate and expansive at once, like a whispered secret shared between two close friends.
Tragic Magic is a beautifully realized album that showcases the unique chemistry between Barwick and Lattimore. With its dreamlike quality and cinematic soundscapes, it's an album that will appeal to fans of new age and ambient music as well as those who appreciate the beauty of subtle, introspective songwriting.
The album's dreamlike quality is palpable from the opening track, Perpetual Adoration, with its delicate harp loop and hushed whispers that evoke a sense of sweetness and longing. As the album progresses, Barwick's lyrics become increasingly indistinct, blurring into texture and shapeless whispers that teem with feeling. The pair's music has always been characterized by their ability to create intimate and expansive spaces at the same time.
One of the standout features of Tragic Magic is Lattimore's harp, which takes center stage in many of the tracks. Her playing is both delicate and powerful, adding a sense of grandeur to even the most stripped-back recordings. The album also features several nods to classic film scores, including a haunting take on Rachel's Song from Blade Runner, which showcases the duo's ability to craft epic, cinematic soundscapes.
The album's closer, Melted Moon, is a particularly affecting example of this ability, with soaring synths and celestial harp flickers that create a sense of emotional intensity without ever feeling overwhelming. This is music that feels both intimate and expansive at once, like a whispered secret shared between two close friends.
Tragic Magic is a beautifully realized album that showcases the unique chemistry between Barwick and Lattimore. With its dreamlike quality and cinematic soundscapes, it's an album that will appeal to fans of new age and ambient music as well as those who appreciate the beauty of subtle, introspective songwriting.
I'm totally in love with Tragic Magic! The way Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore's instruments blend together is like magic 
. It's so easy to get lost in their dreamy soundscapes 
. I also love how the album takes you on a journey, from quiet moments to epic cinematic soundtracks 
. And that harp playing by Lattimore is just stunning 
. The way she can make it both delicate and powerful at the same time is pure genius 
. This album is like having a whispered secret shared between two close friends - it's so intimate yet expansive at the same time 
. Perfect for fans of new age and ambient music, or anyone who appreciates beautiful songwriting 
!
Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore are like two musical souls that just click 
this album is so enchanting and dreamy, I feel like I'm floating on a cloud when I listen to it 
. The way they blend new age and ambient sounds is pure magic 
it's like the soundtrack to my wildest dreams 
. Trust me, if you haven't listened to Tragic Magic yet, you need to give it a spin ASAP 
... like, I get it, some people love the chill vibes, but can't we just have a good ol' fashioned rock album every now and then? Tragic Magic is pretty and all that, but it's just so... mellow. Where's the edge? 
The passion? The angst? I mean, don't get me wrong, Julianna Barwick's voice is gorgeous and all, but sometimes I need something that makes me want to scream or cry or something instead of just drifting off into a peaceful slumber 
would def recommend to anyone who loves ambient/neo age music or just needs some chill vibes
oh man, this album is like a warm hug for my soul... i feel like i'm floating on air every time i listen to it 
the way they blend new age and ambient sounds creates this ethereal atmosphere that transports me to another world 
per se, i'm not usually into super 'dreamy' stuff, but this album is different - it's like they're tapping into something deeper and more real 
anyway, gotta give a shoutout to lattimore's harp skills 
their music has a way of transporting me to another world where time stands still and all that matters is the beauty of the moment 
Tragic Magic is like a warm hug for my soul 
You know what's wild? I was just thinking about trees the other day... like how they can be so calm and peaceful one minute, and then suddenly get hit by a strong gust of wind and go crazy 
. Reminds me of how these ambient sounds on Tragic Magic can be so soothing at first, but then build up to this intense emotional release. And the way Lattimore's harp playing sounds like it's going to shatter into a million pieces, but actually just adds more texture to the music 
. It's like my mind is wandering through a forest and I stumble upon this hidden clearing with the most beautiful harp music playing in the background... peaceful 
and that film score nod to blade runner? yes pls! 
that only their instruments understand 
it gives me chills every time i listen to perpetual adoration 
like it's a hug from two old friends 
...the way julianna barwick & mary lattimore blend their sounds together is pure magic 
it's like the sound of angels singing in your ears 
...the way they balance intimacy and grandeur at the same time is just genius 
It's like a cinematic dream come true!
. I can already imagine this album on repeat for days on end 
. Anyone else listened to Tragic Magic yet?
The way they incorporate nods to classic film scores is genius, it adds this extra layer of depth to the album that's just so captivating 
.
The way they blend new age and ambient sounds is pure magic