by Kris Handel
We Know the Sky, the sophomore full length album from Yours Are the Only Ears (aka Susannah Cutler), provides the listener with heartfelt melodies and intensity manifesting itself through nature and vivid imagery. Cutler's songs are full of spirit and tender ruminations on the travails of love, the different ways we communicate, and the ever changing unpredictability of the world around us. This is a record of movement on many levels, Cutler can be remarkably vulnerable and open while accompanied by chiming and airy melodies, displaying a direct and biting edge when the moment requires it. Her ability for endearingly beautiful songcraft is on full display, the ringing fingerpicking and cycling rhythms create a dreamlike fluffy cloud type of atmosphere around mostly delicate tales.
The title track is a pillowy soft bit of melancholy and self-reflection buoyed by some gorgeously arranged strings and softly picked guitar. The song packs quite an emotional depth and punch with a hazy glow akin to many Sarah Records-esque groups. The deft songwriting touches really add a lot of color to the shuffle and swooping vocals that pile on a weary sentimental beauty with grace and finesse. "Bad Habit" starts driven by a wobbling synth line as Cutler's whispy vocals flow around some softly chorded strumming. Ryan Jewell’s drum fills punctuate the drifting melody at opportune moments. Eventually the quiet gives way to a roiling contemplation, led by J.R. Bohannon’s sweeping pedal steel guitar and Cutler's heartbreaking lyrics gently flowing forth with regret and a fierce resilience.
"Dreamer" is full of breathy vocals and steady drumwork from Julian Fader, as Cutler's guitar notes ring throughout, buffeted by whispy keyboard swells as the double-tracked vocals glide around soft and smooth. Her vocals evoke an enveloping warmth that wraps itself around everything as the chiming and sprightly backing gallops around its pulsating indie-pop groove. "Brown Bear" is beautiful little song that has Cutler's vocals swaying with bowed strings and a lilt that powers couplets like "I could be so sweet/I can't bite if I'm asleep" and "What's more disturbing than this/To be knowingly/Ominous/To be a nightmare/Promised/To be a Black Bear and/Violent'. These sentiments are softened by her vocal approach, presenting a wonderful contrast as does the softly rolling guitar pattern, a great example of the creativity in Cutler's songwriting.
This record is filled with gorgeous melodies and vocals that drift with an unsteady peace and level of craft that makes the waves of emotions hit with a stunning heaviness. Cutler doesn't allow the hurt that informs these songs to fully take over however, these reflection lead to positive change and a solution to the tougher moments faced. Her ability to meld nature and connection with animals/other creatures is a theme throughout the album as well as the gorgeous artwork (by Cutler as well), pulling everything together through samples of bird chirps and an overarching inspiration. We Know The Sky is full of moments that should be cherished, the ability to play with difficult moods, and a variety of expression with an attention to detail and care that make this record a wonderful and lively achievement.