Claire Rousay – A Little Death

Claire Rousay's music draws from a wellspring of documented experiences, reflections of the past that compose the present. A prolific multi-instrumentalist, producer and composer, Rousay crafts gracefully boundless music.

From her frequent and acclaimed collaborations with artists such as M. Sage, more eaze, Gretchen Korsmo, Andrew Weathers, LEYA and Alex Cunningham, to her film scores such as on The Bloody Lady. From her own compositions to her solo pop work, Rousay's music is delicate yet powerful, carefully constructed with a casual intimacy. Rousay collages a wealth of found sounds and field recordings with earthy strings, stately piano and processed instrumentation, all tracing the contours of memories and particular impressions, creating a complex constellation of emotions.

Her music has evolved from confession to conversation, exposing the rich emotional essence of each passage. Her work as an archivist and accomplished arranger and orchestrator sublimely melds into deeply honest and compelling music. On "A Little Death", Rousay's blend of pop sensibility and compositional acumen transforms abstract sounds into palpable feelings, their warm, shimmering glow merging sensually with the darkness.

Reviews

A record that speaks to notions of presence and absence, and the impermanence that underpins all things." – The Skinny

"Like any of rousay's other releases, a little death is a homemade portrait, incorporating sounds from her life and her friends into earnest, personal work." – AllMusic

"Intermittently challenging; ultimately it offers a comforting embrace." – Mojo

"There's no cathartic yelling, but feelings are certainly to the fore in eight tracks that features violin, clarinet, lap steel and piano, with a guest spot (on 'Just') from ambient psychedelicist M Sage." – Uncut

"It's clear that these compositions are infused by strong emotions and the inescapable weight of memories, but it's not always easy to interpret the hidden meaning." – The Line of Best Fit