Beth Preston - As You Wake (Self Release) [Alt-Pop]

Beth Preston first popped on the music world's radar ten years ago with a bright, perky blend of folky pop. I don't know what happened in the meantime - quite a lot I guess as she lives in America, but her new single is rather more introspective, the sound a bit deeper and there's some some low key attitude threaded through the more alternative frequencies. It's a step in the right direction if you ask me.

My favourite of the two tracks, "As you Wake" gets her return rolling, the sound of an old radio finally tuning into her gentle ambient guitar intro before her softly delivered vocals ride the alt-pop thermals which develop all sorts of pleasing sonic details as the patiently building, beautifully crafted arrangement evolves, before a growling synth and electric guitar decide that it's time for action and the track spirals off into opiated shoegaze territory, with even a questioning spoken word sample added for good measure. This one has been on repeat.

Nicely warmed up, it's time for some eighties vibes with a modern twist and lethargic drums that are happy to take a back seat to the variously mellow and soaring alt-pop vocals, and some more consummately crafted atmospherics - the synths swirling, swooshing and soaring on demand - I guess getting busy in her studio was a big part of those ten years. Welcome back Beth, more please.

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Playlist Companion

Find Preston in the Ambient Pop Playlist.