by Brett Abrahamsen
The cryptic, ethereal nightmares of Grouper were given new, haunted life via the hushed and chilling set performed by Squirrel Flower in early 2025 in Chicago. Live at the Top Note Theatre firmly establishes Ella Williams as Grouper’s natural heir.
“I’ll Go Now” is a magical journey through the labyrinths of the subconscious. The ghostly elegy “Train” is arguably even better. The bland “Not Me” features a cameo from the notoriously overrated (and poorly named) Hurray for the Riff Raff, but this predictable misstep is redeemed by the sad, majestic “Finally Rain.” The wistful “Desert Wildflowers” continues in a similar vein. “Deluge in the South” lives up to its evocative title with Red House Painters-like guitar and a spooky, tragic feel. This track is arguably one of the album’s highlights. The simple “I’ll Go Running” is nonetheless mesmerizing and hypnotic, gaining in power as it goes along. “Doors Open” features a cameo from Free Range; the louder and lively sound is a welcome change of pace. It’s one of the album’s most engaging and memorable songs - perhaps surprisingly so, considering it’s never been released in a studio version. A studio take of this could perhaps give her a crossover hit. “Conditions” features arguably the record’s most haunting guitar work. The quiet intensity of “Belly Of The City” is, in its own way, overwhelming. “I Don’t Use A Trash Can” pits poignant guitar work against another hushed litany - this take is definitely superior to the glossier studio version.
This is a powerful record - Williams alone with a guitar, hypnotizing an audience with the simplest of means. One could argue that none of her studio albums have the same impact. This is by far her most intense and creepiest record. Some of it so transcendent and bleak as to recall Jason Molina - specifically, Ghost Tropic. If Squirrel Flower studio albums gave the impression of a relatively normal indie rocker, this soul baring live set proves she’s something more. One can only hope she’ll steer clear of generic indie blandness in the future and focus instead on the hypnotic side of her art.