Big Thief – Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You Review

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Indie folk lends itself to long-form, or rather, Big Thief is a natural pace for the charms of slower ballads and acoustic remorse. Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You is a collection of words that make for a nothing title that holds within such beauty and spectacle. Intimacy and warmth, an autumnal freshness that lends itself to a mood or period unique to the listener. That is a rare form of musical quality, but the charms of Big Thief are moving and rewarding for those that can connect with the Americana styles of this wonderfully atmospheric piece. From those opening bars of sombre influence on perfect first track Change all the way through to the lingering final moments; this Big Thief release is a supreme statement.

Immediacy and innovation are in no short supply for Big Thief here, whose percussion-like charms on Time Escaping are well-kept. There is a Lindsey Buckingham level of quality and experience to the vocals of Adrianne Lenker. Those country twangs of Spud Infinity are vaguely reminiscent of the jolly and upbeat charms of Second Hand News, the incredible track opener from Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours. Inferences to Bob Dylan’s Like a Rolling Stone mark a delightful clarity to the state of Big Thief’s momentum here. There are no notes or individual comments to be made on the utter consistency and state of brilliance Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You finds itself sparring with. Ridiculously talented and charming, a major improvement and overhaul of their previous works and Big Thief storm toward the best piece of their discography.

Country charms are resplendent and powerful on this piece, Red Moon has a wistful quality to it while Flower of Blood has an explosive, bombastic appeal. Dried Roses has a calming string section that depends wonderfully on the latter stages of the album taking a relaxed, reminiscent approach. Promise is a Pendulum loops back to the opening intimacy of Change. Sandwiched between those tracks is a consistent run of folk quality, a natural blend of those indie charms with that of the old-school folk of old. Title track Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You is a powerful highlight, as is Promise is a Pendulum. Big Thief coasts through with an engaged and consistent quality. The highs are easy to chart, the lows are rare and infrequent.

No track stands out as the weakest of the bunch, there is a selection of tracks here that place a responsible level of consistency at the heart of this latest piece from the folk outfit. Undeniable quality on tracks that modernise the trembling genre stereotypes that have grown classless and dated. In its place is a wistful occasion, one that embarks on surreal lyrical quality and consistently excellent instrumentals. James Krivchenia’s drumming, particularly, strikes through as the glue holding these tracks together. From there, Big Thief rattle off some of their finest works, a massive and vast change of pace from their earlier works and an understanding of what their Americana charms can bring to the modern folk era.