Big Thief’s third full length album U.F.O.F presents as an astonishingly original LP containing a new and fresh taste of folk rock in every track. Following the release of the critically acclaimed Masterpiece (2016), and Capacity (2017), the band has discovered a whole new arena of thought, delving deep into a misty and cathartic masterpiece of folk music.

The quartet made up of guitarist Buck Meek, bassist Max Oleartchik, drummer James Krivchenia, and arguably the heart and soul of the band, Adrianne Lenker populate every track with immense personality and freedom, with tracks like “strange” serving as a gateway to a safer and happier place. The band has a significant ability to capture the listener by delivering truly captivating performances, in which the whispers of Lenker will transform you. The chord progressions on tracks like “contact” mixed with the fleeting screams flailing in the background will haunt you, but simultaneously make you feel completely safe, riding with and conquering your every fear. 

One of the standout tracks ‘Terminal paradise’ which was first seen on Adrianne Lenker’s solo project Abysskiss is fleshed out spectacularly with plucky and fine tuned guitars and a majestic vocal performance. However, the same cannot be said about ‘From’, a track also seen in Lenker’s 2018 project, as it’s inclusions doesn’t seem to add anything to the album, artistically or thematically. 

Big thief demonstrate their ability to deliver variety on U.F.O.F more than ever before, most definitely through Lenker demonstrating her amazing vocal range. This is particular exemplified in ‘Betsy’ where her mellow, but powerful voice absorbs into the track effortlessly. On ‘Open Desert’ the “white light” which leaks through the crack in the living room offers a glimmer of hope, comforting the listener that they are not alone. 

The album has an astonishing range of tracks, all with their own flood of individuality and personality. However, it is not only in the tracks that we find this brilliance, as the album cover makes a perfect fit to the LP. The darkish green misty colour, with the backdrop of the lonely woods, made not so lonely with the bands unity, all bound together in their magnificence provide an incredibly replication of the image you would conjure up in your head for the album. 

Big Thief’s third album, and undoubtedly their best, presents an excellent piece of folk rock, which will encapsulate you in every way possible. With an endless variety of sounds and personality, “you’ll disappear” into a welcoming world created by the band. 

8.6/10

Written by Jack Crowe