Cloudward
Mary Halvorson · 2024
47 min · 8 tracks
A vibrant tapestry of experimental jazz and avant-garde rock, weaving intricate melodies with dynamic improvisation.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Gate Start here — This opening track sets a tone of exploration with its ethereal guitar lines and complex rhythms, inviting listeners into Halvorson's sonic world.
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Desiderata — With its intricate interplay between instruments, this track exemplifies Halvorson's talent for creating rich, layered compositions that challenge traditional jazz forms.
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Ultramarine — Closing the album, this lengthy piece showcases extended improvisational sections that highlight the band's chemistry and Halvorson's innovative guitar techniques.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate compositions and dynamic improvisation, marking it as a distinctive entry in contemporary jazz.
What we noticed
- Each track incorporates extended improvisational sections that allow the musicians to explore themes introduced in the melodies.
- The album closes with a gradual deceleration in tempo, culminating in a sparse arrangement that emphasizes silence and space.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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 pacing for focused listening
- intricate soundscapes for deep exploration
- consistent development throughout tracks
- ethereal melodies for reflective moments
Maybe skip if you
- prefer immediate gratification
- seek standalone hit tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Deliberate departure into innovative structures and improvisation within jazz.
- Themes
- ethereal guitar landscapes· avant-garde improvisation· complex rhythmic interplay
- Career context
- When Mary Halvorson released 'Cloudward' in January 2024, she was already recognized as a leading voice in contemporary jazz. This album followed her critically acclaimed project, 'Amaryllis', and showcased her continued evolution as a composer and guitarist, further solidifying her unique sound in the modern music landscape.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Nels Cline· Bill Frisell· Jessica Pavone
Tracklist
- 1 The Gate Start here 4:32
- 2 The Tower 8:08
- 3 Collapsing Mouth 5:55
- 4 Unscrolling 5:19
- 5 Desiderata 6:36
- 6 Incarnadine 4:12
- 7 Tailhead 4:35
- 8 Ultramarine 8:17
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Lovers
Nels Cline
Explores ethereal guitar textures and improvisational dynamics similar to Halvorson's work.
Millions Now Living Will Never Die
Tortoise
Combines avant-garde rock with intricate rhythms and layered instrumentation that echoes Halvorson's style.
Ghost Town
Bill Frisell
Merges atmospheric guitar soundscapes with improvisation, creating a similar emotional depth and complexity.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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