North Carolina-based duo Bowerbirds craft the indie-folk equivalent of origami: delicate things, an image of nature, folded out of pretty pieces of scrap paper. Though of course they do it with violins, cellos, trombones, and organs and harmoniously polished vocals. Their most recent release The Clearing, is chillingly beautiful. It is a perfect composition for spring. They sing about pretty things, too, like nature and love and fear of the dark. It’s rejuvenating. It is not without moments of darkness though. It bears many of the struggles and pangs of growing up and falling out of love and other confusing things like death. But they provide solace in the reminder that the struggles they sing of are universal and “you’re not alone.” If it bears an eery resemblance to Bon Iver (which it does) it’s because it was recorded with Brian Joseph, who has worked prominently with Bon Iver as well. This is an album to dwell on.

Tracklist

1. Tuck the Darkness In
2. In the Yard
3. Walk the Furrows
4. Stitch the Hem
5. This Year
6. Brave World
7. Hush
8. Overcome with Light
9. Sweet Moment
10. Death Wish
11. Now We Hurry On