Opera Singer's Spectral Solo Debut Echoes Trish Keenan

Rachel Zeffira, half of the duo Cat's Eyes, has released her ambitious solo debut album, 'The Deserters.' Recorded in part at the iconic Abbey Road studios, the album features Zeffira's delicate, spectral vocal presence layered over lush, pillowy arrangements. She not only sings but also handles production and assembled the orchestra, playing nine different instruments herself.

The album's sound and Zeffira's fragile vocal delivery are frequently compared to the late Trish Keenan of Broadcast, an influence that looms large over the spectral atmosphere. 'The Deserters' delves into the theme of leaving, with songs detailing both departure and being left behind, all delivered in Zeffira's consistent, lilting mood.

A standout track is Zeffira's cover of My Bloody Valentine's 'To Here Knows When,' which artfully reimagines the original's ambient confusion with her voice and piano, gradually building to a suffocating crescendo. However, this bold interpretation also highlights a perceived limitation of the album: a tendency to operate in either light, floaty pop or monotonous noir, suggesting a need for greater stylistic diversity in future work.