Song You Need: Maria BC seeks connection with “Amber/Watcher”

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Listening to Maria BC is to be pulled under a thick blanket of ambient-folk atmospherics, with the Bay Area singer-songwriter able to conjure up whole worlds of emotion from relatively sparse setups. Inevitable comparisons to fellow melancholy dreamers Grouper and Cocteau Twins were made upon the release of last year's Hyaline but BC's songs are made singular through their voice and knack for a killer melody.

“Amber/Watcher” are the first two songs from BC's upcoming second album Spike Field, due October 20 via Sacred Bones, and combine to create an ideal introduction to their dream-like compositions, where the shadow of something darker looms overhead. "Amber" utilizes hushed keys and delicately picked acoustic guitar to create a hand that reaches out across the divide. "Your scent is on me now," they sing. "Your senses draw me out."

On the flip side, "Amber" sees that outstretched arm and grabs back, even if the connection isn't as strong as intended. The use of a choral arrangement feels particularly grand, and shows the ways in which BC is building their sound up from the bedroom recordings of their early work. Even then though, the song doesn't quite hold, winding down into something much smaller as it closes out. Slipping between epic and intimate suits BC, and suggests their new album will be one to hold onto tight in the cold months ahead.