3.5/5 stars

When I originally saw the album artwork for Neko Case’s newest album Middle Cyclone, I smiled in spite of myself. The album cover features the artist, blazing red hair and all, perched on the top of a vintage car, barefoot and wielding a sword. Having been unfamiliar with her music, I was immediately drawn to the whimsy and spontaneity that her album artwork promises and undeniably delivers.

The best thing about Neko Case’s music is the carefree and whimsical element of it. Yet behind the quirky metaphors, finger-picked guitar and simple yet well-executed harmonies, lies an element of darkness and mystery.  This is a girl who’s had some experiences, and her poetic songwriting capabilities showcase her talent. 

While many of the songs have a quirky, alternative country feel complete with a twang and a banjo, a vast majority of the songs on this album tap into that darkness and have an eerie sense of mystery. The song “Polar Nettles” makes use of minor chords and deterministic drums that are reminiscent of a funeral procession. The eerie yet beautiful song haunts the air for moments after the song ends.

Neko Case’s voice on the whole is clear, powerful and moving. Her surprisingly powerful voice doesn’t fail to delight, surprise and sooth.  Her voice fluctuates between lullaby-sweet in songs like the title track “Middle Cyclone‚” and unorthodox, powerful love songs like “This Tornado Loves You‚” in which she compares herself to a destructive tornado. Her voice really stands out as something special against the accompanying background music and harmonies.

Considering many of the songs on this album were recorded in an old barn, complete with a makeshift “piano orchestra” and “found instruments,” this album is rich with nature imagery. “Middle Cyclone” makes you want to go running through a field of sunflowers and go dancing in the rain. She covers Sparks’ “Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth” and muses about images in nature and animals in many of her songs. 

It’s obvious that this album was recorded with a sense of humor, as well.  Many of the songs contain a quirky childlike quality that is both refreshing and genuine. Her undeniable talent as a lyricist and songwriter is evident on the album, and many of the songs read like poetry. Piano features prominently on this album, and oftentimes it serves as an echo to Neko Case’s voice itself.

On the whole, this album is really good and worth checking out. My only problem with the album is the last track, “Marais La Nuit,” a 30-minute recording of crickets chirping. The natural qualities of this album stand out on its own — this last track just seems a little pretentious and unnecessary. 

Regardless, Neko Case is the kind of artist that the pop music scene needs.  She is confident in her music, and doesn’t make apologies for being a little bit different. There’s a feminine yet independent woman aspect to her songs, as well.  In the song “The Next Time You Say Forever‚” she writes, “The next time you say forever, I’ll punch you in the face.” And in the pop radio friendly “People Got a Lotta Nerve,” she muses, “I’m a man eater, but you’re still surprised when I eat ya.”

There’s always something to be discovered in her music. After each listen, I always find something new buried in her songs.