The Newfoundland composer, singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Robert Humber used his family's old folk instruments and a four-track cassette recorder to document these four lengthy tunes making up his second release in 2025, which actually started as an outdoor contemporary dance piece alongside a stretch of abandoned railroad.

“scrapquilt sunrise” begins the folk-fueled opener with both acoustic guitars and bouzoukis. The warm, ambient climate is manipulated with and without e-bows, and unfolds with strong attention to tonality and mood in a very cautious climate that’s richly executed.

“threnody for rocking chair” lands in the second slot, and employs double basses, pianos and harmonicas. The landscape is certainly reflective, oddly poetic and colorful with grace and adventurousness via the calculated interaction.

The back half of the listen opens with “capelinclipping.” Pianos, whistling, glockenspiels and clarinets are present, as is a mesmerizing and commanding presence that swirls with mystery, melody and a rare intrigue that’s heartfelt. Also cinematic, this record highlight is daring and fascinating in its highly meticulous setting.

The lone track with vocals, “I am right here and far away,” welcomes Bridget Swift’s wordless gestures amid pianos (with and without e-bow), for a dreamy and droning finish. At over 10 minutes, the selection never out welcomes its stay, and near the end finds unconventional vocal harmonics to impress us.

Humber is well versed in music for concert halls, films dance and pubs, and he’s already got a well-received alt-folk/rock album on his resume for the year. This body of work has him composing, recording, performing and mixing the entire effort (i.e. he does everything but the vocals on track four), and it makes for a loop-friendly, electroacoustic and folk-ish peek at a very creative mind.

Rating: B+

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