Having previewed just a handful of hauntingly minimalist cuts off Lia Ices’ forthcoming LP so far, I can safely say that Grown Unknown will be among my favorite singer-songwriter records of the year. It’s rare to find a new artist from whom such understated and patient arrangements arrive so organically. All 3 Ices songs I’ve heard — the title track (above), “Love Is Won,” and “Daphne,” which features Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon in its latter half — offer a modest introduction before unraveling even more arresting melodies and instrumentation for those lucky enough to stick around to appreciate the near-magical slight of hand at play.
Catch Ices on tour with The Cave Singers this spring, and download 2 free MP3s here.