I love getting stuff like this! Albums that are too difficult to classify, yet not out of bounds in the realm of music we cover. As long-time readers know, we don't do regular rock, metal, alternative, jazz, hip hop, country, classical, and a slew of related sub-genres. There is however, music that falls through the cracks; and the widely misunderstood sub-genre of art rock is certainly one of those. Lore City could be construed as art rock, but that doesn't give one much of an idea of what Lore City is all about.

Lore City is the duo of Laura Mariposa Williams (vocals, keyboard, guitar) and Eric Angelo Bessel (percussion, keyboard, guitar), formed in 2011 in Portland, Oregon. 'Participation Mystique' is their fourth album after 'Alchemical Task' (2020) which I haven't heard. This is an LP release (also digital) on high quality 140 gram vinyl, and believe me, it does sound great, which is important considering the subtlety of the music.

The songs have a mystical, dreamlike quality to them with sweet vocals swathed in reverb, gentle elven melodies and intriguing rhythms, and an overall trance-like quality without subscribing to the characteristics of the trance music genre. There could be a little comparison to Shoegaze, but it doesn't fit the motif of that genre either, lacking that signature shimmering guitar sound. Perhaps the closest comparison would be Dean Can Dance, sans their world music aspirations; closest to their first album, and with no strong Brendan Perry type vocalist, and no Lisa Gerrard ululations. But Lore City is no DCD clone; far from it, as they are quite their own duck. Their instrumental sounds lean more toward the traditional than the exotic but they somehow find a way to weave them together to make it sound exotic. There is nothing particularly esoteric about their song lyrics either, except that in the context and manner of the singing there is a hypnotic quality that inescapably draws you in. One song, "Parallel," has a particularly ritualistic feel, enhanced by the musical repetition and minimal but effective lyrics. There is nothing I would consider a "hit single" from this album as it all seems to work together to create a certain mood and feeling; perhaps a time when there seemed to be an almost tangible innocence. (I know that if this album was released on 4AD in the '90s it would be a most sought after gem now.) I think sensitive Goths and lovers of Heavenly Voices will really enjoy ‘Participation Mystique' for its ethereal qualities. I know I did.