by Conor Lochrie (@conornoconnor)
Sometimes a record comes along that is felt, rather than heard. Chicago multi-instrumentalist Mia Joy’s debut album, Spirit Tamer, gently wraps around you, enveloping with its whispered invitations and ethereal ambience. Born in a spiritual home to artistic parents, her music is the sound of someone very much in accordance with their own existence, the earth, and, above all, their emotions.
“Saturn” derives its song name from her love of astrology (she still practices it and her last EP was called Gemini Moon) and its choral flourishes and ambient texture urge you into its peaceful world of empathy and hope. There are instrumental pieces (although her hushed tones mean that the vocals never dominate anyway), the first one, “Spirit Tamer,” easing us into the record, the second one, “Candle Prayer,” vibrating with tender intuition.
When there are words, they are simple and brief but no less impactful, particularly in “Phone Home” and “Sword (I Carry),” the latter embellished with layered harmonies (she joined the Chicago Children’s Choir at a young age, it’s worth noting). “I’m not my father, you’re not your mother,” she quietly insists in the beautiful ode to love, “See Us,” trying to overcome the punishing bonds of family that can threaten to overwhelm a relationship.
“Ye Old Man” is the only real rhythmic outlier, a crisp alternative rock riff capturing the intensity of an unrequited love. “Freak” then surprisingly contains a lyrical reference to Korn, of all bands (“I’m not a freak on a leash,” she sings). If Mia’s sound is too soothing and not sublime enough to be labeled as dream pop - sleepy pop perhaps - she does sound very close to Beach House on “Heaven Forbid”.
Mia finishes with an Arthur Russell cover, emphasizing her ambient influences. “Last Night Together” is led by a contemplative piano line, the sweetly simple lullaby quality saying more with less. The intimacy in Spirit Tamer feels a purposeful creation on Mia’s part, not just as a result of the tranquil sonic template. Once the listener is there, it’s a meditative and mellow experience, stirring with its simple beauty.