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Various Artists - "Cosmic Waves Volume 1" | Album Review

by Ljubinko Zivkovic (@zivljub)

When Angel Olsen appeared on the music scene some fourteen years ago, she was immediately recognized as one of the artists that was bound to push modern rock music in all its scopes as far as it could go, without caring to what genre a certain sound belongs to, or what label it will be given by either the critics or the audience. She kept on pushing the boundaries through her six solo albums so far, and now, she has decided to try to push them even further by establishing her own label, somethingscosmic, a sub-label of Jagjaguwar.

That boundary pushing concept is further reflected on Cosmic Waves Volume 1, the label’s second release, presented sort of as a compilation. That “sort of” categorization is yet another rarely applied (if done before, anyway) concept - a musical dialogue between Olsen and five other artists/bands chosen by her. The first side (or part, if you will) presents the five artists with their own songs, while the flip side is Olsen herself covering songs from each of these artists.

Olsen explains, “As someone that emerged into the music scene through a small tape label, I’ve wanted to continue the spirit of discovery and of my debut release, Strange Cacti, while supporting and collaborating with artists and friends whose music I have been moved by. I feel there is something unique and special about covering another artist's song,” she continues. “We all make it our own, or we try to, but I personally always learn something new about the process when I’m engaging someone else’s words and melodies in such a close way. Time and again I find that putting myself into various different styles of songs can lead to new ways of thinking and creating.”

The concept itself is as intriguing as the music presented on the album. While the five artists chosen - Coffin Prick, Camp Saint Helene, Maxim Ludwig, Sarah Grace White, and Poppy Jean Crawford - are as diverse as Olsen heard them, there is still a unifying musical line, particularly in the emotional element that inspired her cover choices. That binding element is particularly stressed in Olsen’s interpretation of the music by these chosen artists, with all the diversity strengthening Olsen’s concept, in turn giving the album a feel that is rarely found on compilations or tribute albums. At the same time, she presents some not so well known names that definitely deserve the attention she gives them here.