The Brooklyn-based trio Widowspeak consists of Molly Hamilton on vocals and rhythm guitar, Michael Stasiak on drums, and Rob Thomas on lead guitar. The band create a dreamy vintage sound using stripped-down drumbeats, breathy vocals, and delicately placed guitar leads.
The single “Harsh Realm” is a great tune in which singer Molly Hamilton’s voice has a whispery, seductive, drugged-out vibe similar to [ Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star ] yet she retains a unique enough sound to swim in her own pond. Her rhythm guitar sounds similar to a softer, less gritty version of [ PJ Harvey’s ] early playing as she bounces between some dry chords locked in to Michael Stasiak’s minimalist but forward-moving drum groove.
The sparkles and dynamics of the song come from the band’s lead guitarist, Rob Thomas, who plays some nicely placed, shimmering guitar leads that would fit nicely on any Chris Isaak album or Quentin Tarantino or David Lynch soundtrack. The slow-tempo song “Burn Out” has a very sleepy and dreamy verse, but when the chorus breaks, the band all lock in for a unique, upbeat, and intricate hook as Hamilton sings, “It can wait, everything else can wait.”
Widowspeak’s first seven-inch single is stark but very engaging. Released in early March on Captured Tracks, the first four hundred copies were printed on white vinyl, or you can download it from the band or on iTunes. I highly recommend picking up a copy of this, and I am eagerly looking forward to hearing the band’s upcoming full-length.