Big Thief is vibrant new growth in the well-exploited forest of the Brooklyn indie rock scene. The group is defined by the deeply personal songwriting of Adrianne Lenker, which quickly caught the ear of indie-folk incubator Saddle Creek, who released the first two records by the group (Masterpiece and Capacity). U.F.O.F. sees them finding a new home at 4AD and stepping up to a more atmospheric sound. “From” is a reworked version of a song found on Lenker’s 2018 solo effort Abysskiss, turning her simple guitar confessional into a collage of howling ambiance, her voice drifting from Joni Mitchell’s heartbreaking frailty to a growl as harrowing as Post-era Bjork. Title track U.F.O.F. (The extra F stands for ‘friend’) has rain-on-the-windows snares and wandering guitars, each note placed with the care of an impressionist painter. “Magic Dealer” ends the album with gentle synth pads that are quickly absorbed by abstract, otherworldly ambiance.

• black vinyl pressing
• gatefold sleeve
• digital download included
• music label: 4AD 2019

reviewed by THIEF AND THE COBBLER 05/2019