A Very Lonely Solstice
Fleet Foxes · 2021
45 min · 13 tracks · folk rock
A haunting collection of reimagined folk melodies that evoke a deep sense of solitude and reflection amidst the winter solstice.
Top tracks — play these first
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Helplessness Blues (solstice version) — This track poignantly captures themes of personal struggle and yearning for purpose, enhanced by its stripped-down arrangement that emphasizes vocal harmonies.
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Tiger Mountain Peasant Song (solstice version) — This rendition breathes new life into an early classic, showcasing the band's growth while maintaining the song's original emotional depth and resonance.
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Can I Believe You (solstice version) — The reflective lyrics paired with a minimalist instrumentation elevate this version, highlighting the fragility of trust and connection in uncertain times.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's intimate reworkings and atmospheric arrangements create a reflective listening experience.
What we noticed
- The album features reimagined versions of previously released tracks, often stripping them down to minimal instrumentation.
- Each song is performed in a slower tempo compared to the original versions, enhancing the reflective mood.
- Vocal harmonies are prominent throughout, with layered arrangements that create a rich, atmospheric sound.
- The sequencing of tracks builds a narrative arc that mirrors the themes of solitude and introspection.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady reflective listening experience
- warmth against winter's chill
- intimate moments of solitude
- gentle melodies for quiet nights
- thoughtful soundscapes for introspection
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of high-energy tracks
- prefer standalone singles over albums
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on December 10, 2021, A Very Lonely Solstice is Fleet Foxes' first live album, capturing performances from their streamed solstice concert. This release follows their critically acclaimed third studio album, Shore, which had established them firmly in the contemporary folk scene and showcased their evolving sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sufjan Stevens· Iron & Wine· Bon Iver
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Wading in Waist‐High Water (solstice version) 2:10
- 2 Sunblind (solstice version) 4:24
- 3 In the Morning (solstice version) 2:12
- 4 Tiger Mountain Peasant Song (solstice version) 3:53
- 5 Maestranza (solstice version) 2:55
- 6 Helplessness Blues (solstice version) 5:03
- 7 Silver Dagger (solstice version) 3:42
- 8 Featherweight (solstice version) 3:47
- 9 A Long Way Past the Past (solstice version) 3:44
- 10 Blue Spotted Tail (solstice version) 3:08
- 11 If You Need To, Keep Time on Me (solstice version) 2:55
- 12 I’m Not My Season (solstice version) 3:10
- 13 Can I Believe You (solstice version) 3:59
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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