Julianna Barwick’s Consciousness-Stretching “Will”

An album full of tantalizing possibility.


Julianna Barwick
Will
Dead Oceans

Pitch Perfect PR

Seasoning her elaborate, wordless vocal overdubs with synths, cello, and even a little percussion, the Louisiana-bred, Brooklyn-based Barwick stays in an ethereal zone on Will, but adds enough variety to set this transfixing album apart from its dreamier predecessors. Moods range from hushed and reverent, evoking a visit to an ancient cathedral (“St. Apolonia”), to horror-movie eerie (“Nebula”), to atypically jumpy and uncertain (the almost-danceable “See, Know”), lending a tantalizing sense of possibility to what might be familiar ambient clichés in less-skilled hands. After these subtle tweaks, it’s easy to imagine Barwick incorporating all manner of unlikely elements into the mix without sacrificing her luminous aura, or covering (i.e., deconstructing) other people’s songs on future ventures. In the meantime, Will is a consciousness-stretching, invigorating experience.

BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

payment methods

BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

payment methods

We Recommend

Latest

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Subscribe

Support our journalism

Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

Donate